The Supreme Court delivered a stern rebuff to Sajjan Kumar’s bail application on Monday, solidifying his continued imprisonment related to the 1984 Delhi anti-Sikh riots. The Congress veteran, once a prominent figure, now faces extended jail time amid ongoing legal battles.
Arguing his case, Kumar’s counsel emphasized his over seven-year stint in custody and the dire medical state of his spouse, who is bedridden and unseen by him since his arrest. Despite these personal hardships, the top court withheld bail, postponing further arguments to July.
Background to the case traces back to 2013 when the Delhi High Court overturned a trial court’s clean chit to Kumar in the Janakpuri and Vikaspuri riot incidents. Revived probes led to two FIRs in 2015: one for the killings of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh on November 1, and another for Gurucharan Singh’s immolation the next day.
In a recent Rouse Avenue Court statement dated July 7, 2025, Kumar vehemently denied involvement, insisting on a lack of proof and impartial investigation flaws. This plea comes atop his existing life imprisonment for orchestrating murders and gurdwara torching in Delhi Cantt and Palam Colony.
The 1984 riots, sparked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s killing, saw mobs target Sikhs across Delhi, resulting in over 3,000 deaths. Kumar’s conviction marks a rare instance of high-profile accountability, though many cases linger unresolved. The Supreme Court’s denial signals no leniency, prioritizing riot justice over personal pleas, as the nation reflects on enduring wounds from that violent era.
