Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar dies while serving life term in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life term over his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died on Thursday (August 20) at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.

According to a PTI report quoting hospital sources, the hospital had not stated the cause of death.

Convictions and jail term

Kumar was convicted by the Delhi High Court in December 2018 for his role in a case involving the deaths of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara. He was subsequently sent to Tihar Jail.

His legal troubles continued years later. In February 2025, a Delhi court handed him another life sentence for the killings of two Sikh men during the same period.

Also Read: 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court reserves order against Sajjan Kumar for Jan 22

Kumar had been elected to the Lok Sabha three times from Outer Delhi and was a prominent Congress figure for years.

He left the party after his 2018 conviction. His death comes while he was serving sentences arising from separate cases tied to the 1984 violence.

Cases linked to 1984 riots

Kumar spent more than three decades facing criminal cases linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In the Raj Nagar case, five members of a family were killed, and a gurdwara was set on fire. On December 17, 2018, the Delhi High Court overturned Kumar’s trial court acquittal and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He surrendered and remained in jail from that month.

Also Read: 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Delhi court sentences ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life

Another case concerned the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Saraswati Vihar on November 1, 1984. Kumar had earlier been acquitted, but Special Judge Kaveri Baweja sentenced him to another life term on February 25, 2025. The court spared him the death penalty, citing his age, ailments and conduct during his earlier imprisonment.

Other cases and legal challenges

Kumar also faced charges over violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri. A Rouse Avenue Court acquitted him on January 22 in the case involving the deaths of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh and the burning of Gurcharan Singh.

On May 26, the Delhi High Court issued notice on an appeal against that acquittal. During his imprisonment, Kumar had also sought bail and relief on medical grounds.