Sajjan Kumar Acquitted in Janakpuri Riot Case, Continues in Tihar Over Other 1984 Convictions

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was acquitted on January 22, 2026 by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue special court in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots , in which he was accused of instigating violence in the Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt , stressing that while the court fully understands the trauma suffered by victims and their families, it cannot deliver a verdict based on emotion and must rely strictly on evidence and legal standards.

The court highlighted that many witnesses produced by the prosecution were not eyewitnesses and their statements were largely based on hearsay , adding that delayed allegations made after decades especially by witnesses who did not mention Sajjan Kumar’s name for nearly three decades cannot automatically be treated as reliable. A key legal principle repeated in coverage of the judgment was that “suspicion, however strong, cannot take the place of proof” , and the court said there was no concrete evidence establishing Sajjan Kumar’s presence at the scene, or that he provoked mobs or participated in a conspiracy.

Outside the court, the verdict reopened deep wounds among survivors and families who have fought for justice for over four decades. Several victims’ relatives broke down, saying their pain had been “completely disregarded” and that justice had once again been denied despite years of courtroom struggle. Some described horrifying personal memories of the riots, including witnessing family members being burnt alive and seeing roads filled with bodies, and many expressed anger that the legal system could not hold the accused accountable in this particular case due to evidentiary gaps and the passage of time. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka , associated with riot victims’ legal battles, termed the acquittal unfortunate and said survivors would challenge it in a higher court, with reports indicating the families are preparing to move the Delhi High Court .

Importantly, the acquittal does not mean Sajjan Kumar will be released, as he remains lodged in Tihar Jail , already serving a life sentence in other 1984 riots-related murder convictions. The case also underlines a broader pattern seen in 1984 riot prosecutions, where long delays, weakening evidence, and lack of direct testimony have repeatedly made convictions difficult, even as survivors continue to demand accountability and pursue appeals.