Sajjan Kumar’s acquittal in 1984 Sikh riots case is black day for secularism: Shiromani Akali Dal
Sep 20, 2023
New Delhi [India], September 20 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday said that the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and all other accused in a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Sultanpuri area is a “black day for minorities and secularism and a blot on justice, human rights and rule of law in the country.”
In his post on X, Badal further said that after the verdict, the Sikhs all over the world will feel more salt rubbed into their wounds.
“Painful and shocking in the extreme: Nearly 40 years on, it feels like #Genocide all over again. A black day for minorities and for secularism, and a blot on justice, human rights, rule of law in the country. The Sikhs all over the world will feel more salt rubbed into their wounds. Whoever is responsible for the inability of the state to prove what is obvious as broad daylight owes an explanation on this,” SAD President said.
The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and two other accused from a case of rioting and murder during the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots.
This case pertains to the killing of one Surjeet Singh in the Sultan Puri area in November 1984.
Special CBI judge Geetanjali Goel on Wednesday acquitted Sajjan Kumar, Brahamanand Gupta and Ved Prakash.
This case was registered by the CBI. The agency had filed a charge sheet under sections related to rioting, murder, arson, promoting enmity between communities etc.
Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry was set up in the year 2000 by the Government of India to enquire into the incidents of anti-Sikh riots of the year 1984 in Delhi.
The SAD President also said that this development is a ‘shame for the civilised world and certain to deeply hurt the patriotic innocent Sikh community all over the world’.
Meanwhile, Badal further said that Akali Dal, however, will not give up and will pursue the case relentlessly until the guilty are brought to book.
“Be it complicity or ineptitude of the prosecution, this development is a shame for the civilised world and certain to deeply hurt the patriotic innocent Sikh community all over the world and will bring a bad name to the country in the comity of nations. @Akali_Dal_ will not give up and will pursue the case relentlessly until the guilty are brought to book,” he said.
