Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s acquittal in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case by a city court on Tuesday drew sharp reactions from the families of the victims and political leaders who termed it as a black day. Expressing shock and anguish at acquittal of Kumar, Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked the Congress saying it would not be allowed to put a lid on the issue.
Stating that the verdict had dashed the hopes of many people who waited for nearly three decades for justice, he expressed hope that the Supreme Court would take cognisance of the plight of the families of 3,000 Sikh victims and order reinvestigation as done in the case of Jagdish Tytler.
The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party also expressed its anguish over “conspiracy of silence by the Government and investigating agencies” to book all those who have been accused of anti-Sikh riots in 1984 cases.
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel said, “The investigating agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation and Delhi Police have failed to do their duty. Much more needs to be done by the Government and its investigating agencies but it seems that it is not committed to ensure justice for those who have suffered.”
Former Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta said, “The acquittal of Sajjan Kumar is a threat for the entire society. The Sikh community and those who
believe in justice would not stop their agitation till the perpetrators of riots are awarded hard punishment.”
Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal termed the judgement as a slap on the Indian judicial system and alleged that the investigating agency colluded with the guilty to let them go scot-free.
Meanwhile, President of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee Manjit Singh GK said the victims of the 1984 carnage were in tears today after the verdict. “Until this Government is in power, judiciary will give this kind of verdicts. He further said that you can kill as many people in the country and walk free,” he said.