DELHI: Sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the genocide of Sikhs, Congress leader Sajjan Kumar today surrendered before the Karkardooma Court to begin his sentence.

On December 17, the Delhi High Court had overturned the previous acquittal of Kumar by a trial court and awarded him a life sentence and a fine of Rs 5 lakh in a 1984 anti-Sikh genocide case. Earlier, two convicts in the case- Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar also surrendered at Karkardooma Court.

Counsel for Sajjan Kumar moved an application for the surrender of the convict as per the Order/Judgement passed by Delhi High Court and also claimed that there is threat to the life of Sajjan Kumar so a separate van should be provided to him while carrying him to jail and any other court.

On the basis of this, the court took Sajjan Kumar into custody and sent him to Mandoli Jail. The court also directed the police/jail authorities to provide separate van when transporting Sajjan Kumar from jail to court or any other place.

Senior Advocate HS Phoolka had said that Kumar might try to create disturbances around the court to use as an excuse not to surrender and ask for an extension. On Sunday he stated:

“I request 1984 Sikh genocide victims not to go to the court tomorrow. He has not got any relief from the Supreme Court. So, he has to surrender,” “He simply has to go to the court tomorrow and surrender. If he does not do that, then on January 1 the police will have to take him in custody and send him to Tihar Jail. This is a very big victory for the entire nation, as a mass murderer is going to be punished after years”