By SHUBHAJIT Chakraborty
PUNJAB, India: Congress leader Sajjan Kumar will soon appear before Delhi High Court as 31 appeal cases involving 98 riot accused, which were hanging in courts since 1996, will come up on January 6. This is indeed a great news for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots whose doggedness might prove fruitful after years. Though a depressing news for Congress leader when Delhi Lt. Governor showed a green signal.
“These criminal appeal cases originated from one case, involving an incident of loot and arson in East Delhi area in November 1984, which was decided by the then sessions judge, SN Dhingra, in 1996. Now, the cases are slated to come up on January 6,” said Delhi-based noted lawyer HS Phoolka, who is helping the riot victims in legal cases.
Under section 436 of IPC, all accused in these cases were convicted for causing harm by fire, or explosive substance with a resolute to tarnish properties etc. There were all fined Rs. 5000 each.
Karnail Singh Pirmohammad, President of All India Sikh Students Federation works with US based Sikhs for justice, remembers the pogrom and try best effort to seek action against the perpetrators.
“25 years is a long wait for the victims and if the present delayed pace of legal justice continues, then it would be a classic case of justice denied,” said Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, legal adviser of Sikhs for Justice, a human rights organization.
