Kejriwal Says ‘Big Fish’ Still Free After HC Verdict in 1984 Riots

In the order, the judge asked all the convicts to surrender forthwith to undergo the prison term.

File photo of Sikh community members during a protest demanding justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. 

(Photo: PTI)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 28 November, upheld the conviction of around 80 people and awarded them five-year jail term for rioting, burning houses and violation of curfew during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Justice R K Gauba dismissed their 22-year-old appeals against conviction by a trial court.

The judge asked all the convicts to surrender forthwith to undergo the prison term. However, of the 88 convicts who moved the High Court, several have died during the pendency of their appeals, and the case against them has abated, police had earlier said.

Judgment Dates Back to 1996

The convicts had challenged the 27 August 1996 judgment of a sessions court that had convicted 88 out of the 107 people arrested on 2 November 1984 for rioting, burning houses and curfew violation in Trilokpuri area of East Delhi.

After the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984, the next couple of days witnessed widespread rioting and killings of Sikhs in the national capital.

According to the FIR lodged in connection with the Trilokpuri incident, 95 people had died in the rioting and 100 houses were burnt, said senior advocate H S Phoolka, who has been representing the riot victims in various matters.

‘Big Fish Still Roaming Free’

Welcoming the Delhi High Court's judgement upholding the conviction of around 80 people for rioting during 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday 28 November, said the "big fish" are still roaming free and justice has so far not been done to the riot victims even after 34 years.

"I welcome Delhi High Court judgment upholding the conviction of 88 culprits responsible for the murder of hundreds of innocent people in Trilokpuri during 1984 riots. Justice has so far not been done to riot victims even after 34 years. Big fish are still roaming free," he said in a tweet.

(With PTI inputs)