Who was Sajjan Kumar? From 3-time Congress MP to 1984 riots convict
Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict, has died in Tihar jail at age 80. He was serving life sentences for his role in the violence that followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Why it matters
His death marks the end of a long-standing legal saga regarding the 1984 riots, a significant and sensitive event in Indian political history.
NEW DELHI: Former Congress leader and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar died in Tihar jail on Thursday at the age of 80.Kumar was brought dead to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.The three-time parliamentarian was serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Who was Sajjan KumarKumar began his political career as a municipal councillor from Delhi's Nangloi in 1977. At the time, he was also the general secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee.He was among the close allies of Indira Gandhi's younger son, Sanjay Gandhi.Kumar rose through the political ranks and won the Outer Delhi Lok Sabha seat in the 1980 elections.
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