Sajjan Kumar, 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict, asks court for 30 extra days to surrender

Advocates and witness against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots have indicated they are willing to keep up the pressure to ensure Kumar's life sentence remains intact. Kumar on Thursday filed an application asking the court for time of 30 days to surrender.

News agency ANI reported that the court is likely to hear Kumar's application for time on Friday. However, HS Phoolka, the advocate who led the case against Kumar, has said he would oppose the application when it comes up for hearing.

Phoolka also indicated that some of the victims who fought the case may be preparing to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court to seek a death sentence for Kumar. "I have advised victims not to move the Supreme Court, because if both sides file appeals, the court will hear it in detail. We should rather press for dismissal of Sajjan Kumar's appeal at the earliest. Life imprisonment till death is better punishment than death sentence," Phoolka said.

Meanwhile, one of the witnesses in the case filed a caveat asking the Supreme Court to seek the views of victims into consideration if Sajjan Kumar chooses to challenge his sentence in the top court.

Kumar was convicted by a Delhi court on December 16 and was handed a life sentence for his role in the killing of five members of a family in Delhi's Raj Nagar. He had been directed to surrender by December 31. His application for 30 more days is an extension of the December 31 deadline.

He was also present at Delhi's Patiala House Courts Complex on Thursday morning for the hearing in a second case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This case, which the CBI had registered on the advice of the Nanavati Commission, pertains to Kumar's instigation of attacks on a Sikh family in Sultanpuri.

The court adjourned the hearing in the second case to January 22 as Sajjan Kumar's lawyer, Anil Sharma, did not appear in court for the cross examination of witnesses.