SC asks AIIMS docs to examine Sajjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 4

The Supreme Court today directed that former Delhi Congress leader Sajjan Kumar be produced before a board of doctors from AIIMS at 10.30 am tomorrow for a medical examination.

Kumar (73) is serving life term in a case relating to 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The former Delhi Congress leader, who has sought bail on the ground of poor health, has been in jail since December 31, 2018, when he surrendered after being convicted and awarded life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court.

“Whether or not the convict needs to be hospitalised or not shall be decided once the report of the board by AIIMS doctor comes,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said.

It directed that the report of AIIMS doctors be submitted before it within a week. If the AIIMS board considered it appropriate to hospitalise Kumar, it might do so, said the Bench.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh talked about his medical report that said he has lost 7 kg weight.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to that saying the report was from a private doctor and questioned its veracity. He insisted that a board of directors from AIIMS must examine him.

During the hearing, the CJI said Kumar was an old man who won’t run away.

Kumar has challenged the Delhi HC verdict of December 17 last year that awarded him life imprisonment for the “remainder of his natural life” in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case relating the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment’s Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2 in 1984, and burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part-II. He is also seeking suspension of sentence and his release on bail.