Sajjan Kumar, figure in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, dies at 80

Sajjan Kumar, the former Congress Member of Parliament whose political career became synonymous with the brutal 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has died at 80. He was serving a life sentence at the time of his death, which was confirmed by officials at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital following a period of failing health.

Editorial·August 20, 2026·reads: 2,115

Sajjan Kumar, figure in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, dies at 80

The legal saga surrounding Kumar spanned decades, defined by shifting judicial outcomes that polarized the public. While he navigated various acquittals in earlier cases, the landscape changed in 2018. The Delhi High Court overturned a previous ruling, handing him a life sentence for his role in the Raj Nagar killings, a decision that cemented his status as a focal point for accountability regarding the violence that erupted after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

His later years were marked by repeated, failed attempts to secure bail on medical grounds, as the courts maintained a rigid stance against his release. By denying these petitions, the judiciary underscored a resolve to see the sentencing through to its conclusion. His passing effectively terminates a long-standing legal battle that served as a recurring test for India’s justice system, leaving behind a legacy deeply scarred by the unresolved tensions of the 1984 unrest.