Sikhs feel offended, as Sajjan Kumar gets bail in 1984-anti Sikh riots case - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Scores of Sikhs gathered outside the Karkardooma court in here on Wednesday to lodge their protest against the anticipatory bail granted by the court to the Congress leader, Sajjan Kumar, in cases related to 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Earlier, the court had issued two non- bailable warrants against the accused. Sajjan surrendered before the court on Wednesday morning. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar granted bail to the accused, including Sajjan Kumar, after they all appeared before him. Protestors were agitated after Sajjan was granted bail. "A ray of hope had kindled when the court here issued non-bailable warrants against the accused. Even that ray of hope is extinguished by the judge. We request the people of India and the Supreme Court that Supreme Court should fight our case," said Tarseem Singh, a protestor. Harvinder Singh Phoolka, Counsel for Victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, expressed his discontent with the decision and said that he would take the case to the Supreme Court. "We will file a plea in the Supreme court that the decision is wrong and we will request the Supreme Court that he (Sajjan Kumar) should be given a temporary bail, till his next appearance in the court, and not a permanent bail. The High Court hasn't put any such restriction. The accused was absconding, however, the High Court hasn't considered it," said Harvinder Singh Phoolka. Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a charge sheet against Sajjan Kumar and others in two cases for allegedly instigating mobs after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in 1984. The anti-Sikh riots in Delhi occurred following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984. Activists accused Congress party of having turned a blind eye to the massacre of Sikhs and said some of its leaders helped orchestrate the rioting.