New Delhi: Former Indian National Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, passed away on Thursday at the age of 80. The former parliamentarian was declared dead upon arrival after being transferred from Delhi’s Tihar Jail to Safdarjung Hospital following a sudden deterioration in his health.
Kumar had been incarcerated following a December 2018 ruling by the Delhi High Court that overturned his previous acquittal and sentenced him to life imprisonment for inciting violence and the killing of five people in Delhi’s Palam Colony during the November 1984 riots. He had subsequently challenged the conviction before the Supreme Court of India.
During his political career representing the Outer Delhi constituency, Kumar was a prominent figure within the Congress party until his conviction led to his formal departure from political life.
