SC issues notice to CBI on 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict's bail plea

In a notice issued to CBI, the Supreme Court has asked for a response over granting bail to a 1984 Sikh-riot convict. The convict had sought bail on grounds of his age and risk of contracting coronavirus inside the jail.

New Delhi:A Supreme court bench led by the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, has issued notice to the CBI on the bail plea filed by 1984 Sikh-riot convict and former congress member Sajjan Kumar.

It asked the CBI to respond over granting bail to Kumar.

Kumar's bail plea has been listed several times in the past, but the court had not granted him bail dismissing the grounds of his health. He sought bail on the grounds of his age and risk of contracting coronavirus inside the jail.

The bench also comprising of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice V Ramasubramanian considered his age factor and ordered the matter to be heard again in August.

READ:|Anti-Sikh riots convict Mahender Yadav dies of COVID 19

Earlier this month, another convict Mahender Singh Yadav had sought bail from the court on grounds of being COVID-19 positive. The apex court had, however, refused to entertain his plea then.

He was later shifted to the Lok Nayak Hospital for treatment where he breathed his last on July 5. He was earlier lodged in Mandoli jail and was serving a sentence of 10 years.

The anti-Sikh riots had broken out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards.

READ:|SC denies interim bail to 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict