The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant interim bail to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar on medical grounds. Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. “Will take up Sajjan kumar’s bail plea in July,” CJI said.
The bench was hearing a bail application filed by Kumar on the grounds of his medical condition. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Kumar, asked the court to grant bail to his client on medical grounds. He has been produced before AIIMS board, was examined, and returned to jail later.
“Kumar’s bail plea is still pending, hearing can’t go on, and this matter can’t go on hearing through videoconferencing, please consider my prayers. If I die in jail, my life sentence will convert into death penalty, please consider interim bail on medical grounds,” Vikas Singh said. The CJI quoted Sajjan Kumar’s medical report which said he didn’t need any hospitalisation.
He said, “I’m inclined to keep the bail matter pending.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), opposed interim bail for the former Congress leader, since he was involved in the 1984 riots. Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018, after it set aside the lower court order that had acquitted him of the charges. A bench comprising Justices S. Muralidhar and Vinod Goel had sentenced him for offences under Sections 302, 120B and 153A of the IPC.
