More trouble for sajjan: HC refuses to stay arrest

Defying the trial court’s summons proved costly for senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar chargesheeted in two anti-Sikh riot cases of 1984.

Defying the trial court’s summons proved costly for senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar chargesheeted in two anti-Sikh riot cases of 1984.

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The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to restrain the CBI from arresting him.

"If you had appeared before the lower court (which had issued the summons), then it would have been otherwise," Justice A.K. Pathak said at the end of day's proceedings while refusing to give any interim protection to the 64-year old leader till his anticipatory bail plea was decided in the High Court.

The bench's remarks came after advocate I.U. Khan, appearing for Kumar, said the court should restrain CBI from arresting him as the matter is pending here.

The court will hear the case again on Monday as Justice Pathak will be on leave till Friday, which opens up the possibility of Kumar and other accused in the case being arrested by CBI during this period.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma had on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against him as Kumar did not appear before the trial court.

Khan requested the court to provide interim protection to Kumar as the CBI, which has been "kind and generous" for the last five years, has all of a sudden turned against him despite cooperating with it in investigations.