1984 anti-Sikh riots: SC refuses to grant interim bail on health grounds to Sajjan Kumar

The Supreme Court on Friday denied interim bail on medical grounds to former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who has been convicted to a life term in connection with a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case along with several others.

A two-judge bench led by justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also turned down a plea by the former Congress leader to transfer him to a private hospital of his choice so that he can be treated at his own expense. As a convict, the former Congress leader is only entitled to medical facilities inside the jail or in the worst-case scenario in another public health care institute.

Sajjan Kumar’s lawyer argued in court that the 75-year-old was suffering from several age-related ailments. His health was failing, he had lost a lot of weight and there were other complications too, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar argued before a bench which also comprised justice MM Sundresh.


Justice Kaul, however, refused to countenance any such plea. The bench said that it was satisfied by a report of a medical board that Sajjan Kumar was stable and did not need any urgent medical intervention.

“He is accused of heinous crimes. You want him to be treated like some super VIP patient?” Justice Kaul asked his lawyer. The bench clarified though that the medical authorities in the jail could, if they so wanted, examine such a request at their discretion.

Sajjan Kumar was convicted by the Delhi High court along with five others in connection with the killing of five members of a family in Delhi. Kumar was the local parliamentarian then. He has appealed to the top court against his conviction.