Former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar has passed away at the age of 80 while serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He died on August 20, 2026, after being admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi following a decline in his health. As news of his death emerged, it brought back painful memories of the 1984 riots and the courageous witnesses who testified against powerful political figures. Among the most chilling accounts recorded in court was that of Cham Kaur, whose testimony detailed the horrifying events of November 1984 and exposed the devastation inflicted upon innocent families.
The Eye-Witness Account of Cham Kaur in Court
In November 2018, Cham Kaur appeared before the court to give her formal testimony regarding the violence that erupted in Delhi. Standing in the courtroom, she positively identified Sajjan Kumar as a central figure who allegedly incited mob violence. She recalled that on November 1, 1984, upon stepping outside her residence, she distinctly heard Sajjan Kumar addressing an agitated crowd. According to her statement, he was urging the crowd by asserting that Sikhs had killed their mother and demanding retaliation against them. The reference to mother was directed toward the assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Cham Kaur explained to the court that recognizing Sajjan Kumar was straightforward for her, as she had interacted with him prior to the incident while seeking assistance for official paperwork, including ration card documentation.
A Horrifying Personal Loss Following Mob Violence
The testimony delivered by Cham Kaur went beyond identifying political figures; it recounted an unbearable personal tragedy. She described how, on the day following the incitement, rioters targeted her household where her father, Sardarji Singh, and her son, Kapoor Singh, had taken shelter on the second floor. The violent mob discovered their hiding place, forcefully dragged them out of the house, and subjected both men to severe physical assault. After beating them mercilessly, the attackers threw her father and son off the roof of the building. Cham Kaur was also physically assaulted during the attack when she attempted to save them. Her harrowing account stood as one of the most painful testimonies presented during the judicial proceedings surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Crucial Testimonies and Legal Convictions
Cham Kaur was not the only witness to stand firm in court. Another survivor, Sheila Kaur, had previously identified Sajjan Kumar in court, reinforcing the legal proceedings against him. Their testimonies played a decisive role in establishing accountability for the violence that unfolded in the Delhi Cantt and Palam Colony areas. In December 2018, the Delhi High Court convicted Sajjan Kumar and sentenced him to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of five Sikhs and the destruction of a Gurdwara by fire. Sajjan Kumar subsequently filed an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking relief, but the highest court rejected his petition, requiring him to serve his sentence inside Tihar Jail. Later, in February 2025, he received another life sentence in a separate case linked to the 1984 riots, although he was granted relief in certain other related matters.
The Legacy of the 1984 Riots Cases After Sajjan Kumar's Death
With his death on August 20, 2026, at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, a major chapter in the protracted legal battle surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has closed. Sajjan Kumar remained incarcerated until his health deteriorated, leading to his hospital admission where medical authorities confirmed his demise. His passing has once again brought to light the testimonies of survivors like Cham Kaur and Sheila Kaur. Their court statements were not merely legal evidence, but powerful eyewitness accounts of an era marked by tragedy, suffering, and a long pursuit of judicial resolution for the victims and their families.
