1984 Riots: Delhi HC dismisses plea by Sajjan Kumar to extend the December 31 Deadline to surrender

The Delhi High Court today dismissed the plea by former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar praying for extension of the December 31 deadline to surrender in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case..Earlier this week, the High Court had reversed Sajjan Kumar’s acquittal in the case and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life. The Court had also directed him to surrender before December 31 this year..In the application before the Court, the 73-year-old Kumar had submitted that he is “under shock and surprised” by his conviction as he believes that he is innocent..He had also claimed that he has a large family, certain properties and family matters to settle, which could not be done “within a short span granted” by the Court..Kumar had also informed the Court that he had remained on bail throughout and had never flouted any of the bail conditions..He cooperated with the investigation and never hampered the progress of the investigation or trial, Kumar had further stated in the Application..He had thus prayed for an extension of 30 days to enable him to “settle his family affairs, to meet his close relatives, near and dear ones including friends who have been associated with the Applicant over a period of 73 years of his life.”.Counsel appearing for the convicted leader submitted that Kumar wished to exercise his statutory right to appeal before the Supreme Court. However the same was not possible since the Supreme Court is closed for winter vacation. Also, most Senior Advocates are also not available at the moment, it was argued..A Division Bench of the court presided by Justice S Muralidhar however refused to allow the plea stating,.“We have considered the Application and heard the Counsel. We find no grounds to extend the deadline.”