The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Delhi government to respond to a petition filed by former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, seeking release from jail on furlough to reconnect with his family and society.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the Delhi government and jail authorities, directing them to submit a status report before the next hearing, which is scheduled for November 17.
The court, which was originally slated to take up Khokhar’s plea on December 16, allowed his application for early hearing and heard the main matter on Friday itself.
Khokhar has challenged a September 4 order of the jail authorities that rejected his furlough application, citing potential threats to public peace and order if he were released. He has urged the court to quash the order and direct his release on a 21-day furlough, stating that the purpose is to re-establish social ties with his family and community.
Furlough is a temporary release granted to long-term convicts to maintain social links and facilitate rehabilitation, without altering or suspending the overall sentence.
Khokhar, along with four others, was convicted in 2013 by a trial court for offences including murder and rioting during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which erupted after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The case relates to the killing of five Sikh individuals and the torching of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad on November 1, 1984.
While Khokhar was convicted, former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was acquitted by the trial court. However, in December 2018, the Delhi High Court upheld Khokhar’s conviction and sentence and set aside Kumar’s acquittal, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
Khokhar’s appeal against the 2018 judgment is presently pending before the Supreme Court.
