Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar Dies Serving Riot Sentence

Politics9 sourcesAug 20, 2026

Leans rightFactual rigor 48/100

The Story

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar died on Thursday, August 20, 2026, while serving life sentences for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He was brought to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital and declared dead. Kumar, who was 80 years old, had been lodged in Tihar Jail. He was convicted in two separate cases linked to the riots. On December 17, 2018, the Delhi High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for the killing of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara in the Raj Nagar area.

In February 2025, a Delhi court imposed another life sentence in a case involving the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh. Kumar had repeatedly sought medical bail due to high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease. He began his political career as a municipal councillor in Delhi in 1977 and later served as a three-time Lok Sabha MP representing the Outer Delhi constituency.

He resigned from the Congress party after his 2018 conviction. The anti-Sikh riots erupted following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

What they agree on

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar died on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Kumar was serving life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
He was convicted in at least two separate cases related to the riots.
Kumar was lodged in Tihar Jail and was brought to Safdarjung Hospital where he was declared dead.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Where they split

Sources provide conflicting ages for Sajjan Kumar at the time of his death, with some stating 80 and others 84.
Some reports mention Kumar's appeal against his 2018 conviction was pending before the Supreme Court, while others do not mention this.
Coverage varies on the specific details of the cases for which Kumar was convicted, including the names of victims and locations.
Some outlets detail Kumar's medical history and hospital admission procedures, while others focus solely on his death and convictions.