New Delhi, August 29: H.S. Phoolka, a Supreme Court lawyer and BJP leader known for his long-standing legal battle on behalf of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, criticized the visit of BJP MPs to Sajjan Kumar’s home to express condolences. Phoolka stated that the BJP has consistently stood with the victims of 1984 and has sought justice against the perpetrators. Therefore, the visit by three party MPs was contrary to the party’s declared stance.
Phoolka emphasized that since the 1984 massacre, the BJP has been committed to supporting victim families and striving for justice. Senior BJP leaders and lawyers like Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad have represented victims in court. He recalled that when Madan Lal Khurana was the Chief Minister of Delhi, he appointed Phoolka as an advisor on these cases, leading to the reopening of several cases during his tenure.
He mentioned that during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Nanavati Commission was established, which led to further action against Sajjan Kumar and other accused. Eventually, Kumar was sentenced in these cases. Phoolka claimed that even after Kumar’s arrest and sentencing, the BJP government opposed his bail and parole. Under the directives of the then Union Home Minister, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government in every hearing, opposing bail and parole requests. Phoolka noted that Kumar made several attempts to secure his release, but the government consistently opposed them.
When asked about the MPs’ visit being motivated by personal relationships due to Kumar’s influence in the area, Phoolka dismissed this argument. He pointed out that many BJP leaders from that region exist, including several from the Jat community, yet they have never taken such a step. He questioned why these MPs felt the need to visit when the BJP has consistently demanded severe punishments, including the death penalty, for the 1984 offenders.
Phoolka remarked that while personal relationships may exist, attending a public condolence gathering for someone with serious criminal charges and a conviction sends a politically incorrect message, especially when the party has long supported the victims.
Supporting the BJP leadership’s decision to reprimand the three MPs, he stated that as soon as the party president learned of their visit, immediate action was taken to clarify that their actions did not align with the party’s official position.
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