New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): In wake of the massive protests in the national capital over Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday said this issue should not be politicised.
"This issue is being politicised. The court has given a decision. If somebody feels that the decision is not correct or injustice has been meted out, they should move the higher courts. What is the need to politicise it?" she asked.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Naresh Gujral said the decision to acquit Sajjan Kumar of all the charges has alienated Sikhs, Punjabis and all right thinking Indians all over the country.
"We are disappointed, we are angry and I think injustice has been given," he said.
Sikh groups staged protests in Delhi's Subhash Nagar and Tilak Nagar areas today against Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
Two metro stations in West Delhi were closed to commuters for some time today to prevent any untoward incident after protestors stormed the Subhash Nagar station, climbing on to the tracks and metro coaches.
For about half an hour, metro traffic through Subhash Nagar had to be stopped as over 500 protesters crowded the station, blocking the tracks.
Sikh groups have said that they will protest outside the official residence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi tomorrow.
A Delhi Court yesterday acquitted Sajjan Kumar of all the charges in a case related to the killing of five men in a Delhi Cantonment colony during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Five others named as accused with Sajjan Kumar were convicted, three of murder and rioting and two of rioting.
Kumar, a former Member of Parliament (MP) from outer Delhi, was facing trial along with five others-former MLA Mahender Yadav, Krishan Khokhar, former Councillor Balwan Khokhar, Captain Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal-for allegedly conspiring and inciting a mob against the Sikh community in Delhi Cantonment area during the riots that followed the October 31, 1984 assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Mahender Yadav and Krishan Khokhar have been acquitted of all charges except for the offence of rioting. But Balwan Khokhar, Captain Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal have been held guilty for rioting and murder.
The court ordered the arrest of Balwan Khokhar, Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal after the verdict, while the other two to be convicted were allowed to leave the court as the offence for which they have been held guilty was punishable with less than three years imprisonment.
Inside the court, so deep was the resentment over Kumar's acquittal that a shoe was thrown at District Judge J.R. Aryan after he pronounced his verdict. Angry over the verdict, All India Sikh Students Federation President Karnail Singh hurled a shoe towards the Judge. He was immediately detained by the police.
The case relates to the murder of five men-Kehar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Ranghuvender Singh, Narender Pal Singh and Kuldeep Singh-in the Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1-2, 1984 during attacks on Sikh homes and businesses following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Complainant Jagdish Kaur is the widow of Kehar Singh and mother of Gurpreet. The other three victims were her cousins.
The CBI registered the case in 2005 following the recommendations of the Justice G T Nanavati Commission. (ANI)
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