The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition filed by senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar challenging initiation of criminal proceedings against him in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.
A bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and A R Dave concluded the hearing on the appeal filed by Kumar against the Delhi High Court decision which had on July 19 refused to stay the trial against him. However, the apex court had on August 13 stayed for two weeks trial proceedings against Kumar facing murder and other charges in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases.
The high court had on July 19 refused to quash various charges, including that of murder, against Kumar, saying the delay in prosecution has apparently benefited him. Kumar has contended that the observations made by the high court could have a bearing on the trial.
In a special leave petition, Kumar has contended that the complainants' testimony against him were unreliable and the high court had made various uncalled for observations that could determine the fate of the trial.
The CBI had defended its decision to re-investigate the case against Kumar for his alleged involvement in the riots, saying it was a decision taken by Parliament.
Kumar, a former MP from Outer Delhi, is facing prosecution in two cases in which he has been accused of inciting a mob against Sikh community in the aftermath of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination on October 31, 1984.
The trial court had in May this year framed charges against Kumar under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to cause damage to property), 153A (promoting enmity between different communities) and other provisions of IPC paving the way for his trial as well as that of five others.
