SC reserves decision on Sajjan Kumar's appeal

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on Sajjan Kumar's appeal, challenging criminal proceedings initiated against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on Sajjan Kumar's appeal, challenging criminal proceedings initiated against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

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A bench headed by Justice P. Sathasivam concluded the hearing on the appeal that assails the July 19 Delhi High Court decision, refusing to stay the trial against him.

The apex court on August 13 had stayed the trial proceedings against Kumar who's facing murder and other charges in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases.

In his appeal before the SC, Kumar has contended that the complainants' statements against him were unreliable and the HC had made various uncalled for observations that could influence the trial against him.

In its defence, the CBI said its decision to re-investigate the case against Kumar for his alleged involvement in the riots was subsequent to a decision taken by Parliament.

The high court had on July 19 refused to quash the charges against Kumar, saying the delay in prosecution benefited him.

The trial court had in May this year framed charges against Kumar for murder, dacoity, mischief to cause damage to property and promoting enmity between different communities and other IPC provisions.