Delhi Court Clears Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case, Families Express Outrage
Outside a Delhi court on Thursday, families affected by the horrific 1984 anti-Sikh riots stood waiting, their faces etched with decades of loss, pain, and simmering anger. The court had just acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a case linked to alleged incitement of violence in the Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas of Delhi, a decision that left the victims feeling once again unheard and betrayed by the justice system.
Decades of Legal Battles and Unfulfilled Promises
The families described their search for justice as a long, painful, and exhausting journey. Many have spent over four decades moving from one courtroom to another, clinging to the hope of accountability and closure. Kumar, however, continues to remain in prison as he is serving a life sentence in other riot-related murder cases, a fact that offers little solace to those seeking answers for specific incidents.
Among those present was Nirmal Kaur, whose life was irrevocably changed during the violence. “My father was burnt alive before my eyes, and I have spent 42 years moving from one court to another, clinging to the belief that justice would one day arrive,” she told reporters. She added that everything she valued was taken from her that fateful day. “I myself was destroyed, and every good thing in my life was taken away,” she said, emphasizing that justice still felt agonizingly distant after all these years.
Anger, Despair, and a Vow to Continue the Fight
Another woman standing nearby spoke with a mixture of anger and deep despair. She insisted that the man she believed was responsible must be punished severely. “He must be hanged. If this does not happen, we will continue to sit outside the court, even if it means dying here, because we have nothing left to lose,” she declared, highlighting the families' desperation and resolve.
Wazir Singh, a relative of another riot victim, provided context to Kumar's legal history. He noted that Kumar had faced around 18 murder cases but had been acquitted in many. “He was responsible for the killing of thousands of Sikhs, and families like mine have spent their entire lives moving in and out of courtrooms,” Singh stated. He revealed that the families were prepared to approach the High Court and even the Supreme Court, adding that they were no longer afraid to continue the protracted legal fight.
Vivid Memories of Trauma and Loss
For Bagi Kaur, the memories of the riots remain painfully vivid and haunting. “Ten members of my family were killed. I vividly remember that during the riots, the roads were littered with corpses. One had to jump over dead bodies to cross the road,” she recounted. She witnessed her family's future collapse in an instant and emphasized her unwavering commitment to the legal process. “I have not missed a single court hearing in all these years, regardless of the circumstances,” she said.
Kaur expressed profound disillusionment with the justice system. “Our pain has now been completely disregarded. Satwant Singh was hanged; then why is the man responsible for the deaths of about a thousand people still alive?” she questioned. She lamented that despite everyone in court knowing whose widow she was, no one appeared willing to truly listen to her pleas.
Protests Continue as Families Refuse to Back Down
Even after the verdict was delivered, the families refused to leave the court premises. Their protests continued unabated, with voices of anguish and determination echoing through the area long after the hearing had concluded. They made it clear that their fight for justice was far from over and vowed to keep returning to the courts in search of answers, accountability, and a semblance of peace for the souls lost in one of India's darkest chapters.
The acquittal has reignited painful memories and debates about justice delayed and denied, underscoring the deep wounds that remain unhealed nearly four decades after the tragic events of 1984.
