Delhi HC abates Sajjan Kumar’s appeal against conviction in 1984 riots case following his death
The Delhi High Court has closed the appeal of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar regarding his conviction in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case following his death. The court ruled that the appeal abates due to the passing of the appellant.
Why it matters
This marks the legal conclusion of a high-profile case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, highlighting the finality of judicial proceedings upon the death of a defendant.
Following his death last week, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) closed an appeal by former C ongress MP Sajjan Kumar challenging his conviction in a murder case arising from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Sajjan Kumar, who was serving two life sentences in Tihar jail in connection with the 1984 riots, died on August 20.
"In view thereof, the present appeal would abate," a bench of justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan said.
This case was about the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Saraswati Vihar on November 1, 1984.
Anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi after the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards.
Kumar was awarded life imprisonment in the case on February 25, 2025, by a trial court here after his conviction on February 12, 2025.
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