After the Delhi High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment under crimes against humanity, Congress leader Sajjan Kumar pleaded to the Delhi HC to allow him to spend 30 days more with his family. He was convicted in connection to the Anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and for killing five people in the process.
In his 15-point request, the Congress leader appealed to put off his jail term by a month and also has pointed out that he was stunned at the HC verdict for finding him guilty and needs some time preparing for the jail term, reported Hindustan Times.
The Delhi High Court on Friday, December 21, dismissed his plea. The bench stated that there is nothing special in his request to consider extending the time.
What are his pleas?
In his 15-point plea, Sajjan Kumar has stated that he had eight grandchildren aged between 25 and five years and a big family, from both his paternal and maternal side. The application also indicates that the 73-year-old needs time to settle property matters and hence needs some time. The second reason is that as presently he is in a state of shock and needs some to recover from the verdict and goes on to add, “the applicant believes he is innocent.”
The third reason is that he won’t be able to settle a property dispute in a short span and hence needs some time granted by the court. He also has stated that he needs to meet his dear ones and relatives, who stood by his side for 73 years.
Anti – Sikh riot 1984 case
As per The Indian Express, the Delhi HC reversed the trial court’s decision and sentenced Kumar to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of five members of a family. The bench, comprising Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Vinod Goel also made clear that the Kumar ‘s imprisonment will be forever hitched in his life.
After the verdict was served the Congress leader resigned from his post as the primary membership of the Congress. According to Deccan Herald, advocate Anil Sharma, through which the application was submitted, said that they need more time to file an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the high court’s verdict.
On December 17, the Delhi HC had reversed the trial court’s order acquitting him in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case and held him accountable of the charges leveled against him. The court has also slapped Rs 5 lakh fine on the Sajjan Kumar.
The case pertained to the murders of the five members committed by him in the Raj Nagar Delhi Cantonment area 1984. Apart from Anti-Sikh riots 1984, the Congress leader is acquitted in other cases including the killing of a man in Delhi Sultanpuri’s suit, where it has been adjourned to January 22. However, as per the recent development the Delhi HC has rejected the application submitted by the Congress leader and has summoned him to submit by December 31.
