Sajjan Kumar moves SC against conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case; survivors' lawyer files caveat

New Delhi: Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging the life imprisonment awarded to him by the Delhi High Court in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Senior advocate HS Phoolka, who is representing the victims of the riots cases, said he has been conveyed by the apex court registry that Kumar has filed an appeal against the high court's judgement. He said the survivors had already filed a caveat to pre-empt any ex parte hearing in favour of Kumar.Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life for the remainder of his life by the high court on 17 December in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Raj Nagar area. The case relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar part-I area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on 1 and 2 November, 1984, and burning down a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar part II during that period.The high court had on Friday rejected Kumar's plea seeking an extension of time till 30 January to surrender for serving his punishment.