Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar Thursday approached the Delhi High Court seeking time till 31 January to surrender in connection with a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which he was recently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kumar, who was directed by the high court on Monday to surrender before authorities by 31 December, sought more time saying he has to settle family affairs.
HS Phoolka, advocate for the riot victims, said they would oppose Kumar’s plea in court.
Advocate Anil Sharma, representing Kumar, said they need some more time to file appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the high court’s verdict and Kumar has to settle his family matters relating to his children and property.
The plea is likely to come up for hearing on Friday.
The case relates to killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar part-I area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on November 1-2, 1984, and burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar part II during that period.
The Patiala House Court on Thursday adjourned a hearing in a second 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Kumar till 22 January. The second case has been filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the Nanavati Commission’s recommendation.
Three persons — Kumar, Brahmanand Gupta and Ved Prakash — are facing trial on charges of murder and rioting in the case pertaining to the killing of Surjit Singh in Sultanpuri.
(With PTI inputs)