Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar Dies at 81 in Safdarjung Hospital

Former Member of Parliament and senior political figure Sajjan Kumar has passed away at the age of 81 at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. The former Congress leader, who was serving life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, died on Thursday, August 20, 2026, following emergency admission to the hospital by police authorities.

What Happened

According to a formal statement released by Safdarjung Hospital, Sajjan Kumar was brought to the hospital by police at approximately 11:00 a.m. presenting with altered sensorium. Upon arrival, he was admitted immediately, and medical personnel initiated resuscitation measures.

Hospital officials confirmed that despite the provision of all essential medical and life-support interventions, Kumar could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m. Medical records shared by the facility indicated that Kumar had a history of Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure, alongside several prior hospital admissions.

At the time of his death, Kumar was an inmate at Tihar Jail serving life imprisonment sentences awarded to him in legal proceedings arising from the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in the national capital.

Key Highlights

• Date and Location of Death: Sajjan Kumar passed away at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital after being admitted around 11:00 a.m.
• Medical Background: Safdarjung Hospital confirmed he suffered from hypertension and Parkinson’s disease and had undergone multiple previous hospitalisations.
• Convictions: On December 17, 2018, the Delhi High Court awarded him life imprisonment for the killing of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara in Palam Colony during the 1984 riots. In February 2024, he received another life sentence in connection with the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Saraswati Vihar.
• Acquittal: In January 2026, a Delhi court acquitted Kumar in a separate case concerning violence in the Janakpuri area, citing an absence of credible evidence.
• Political Career: Kumar served three terms as a Lok Sabha parliamentarian representing the Outer Delhi constituency before resigning from the Congress party following his 2018 conviction.

Why This Matters

Sajjan Kumar was a prominent leader within the Indian National Congress and an elected representative of the Outer Delhi constituency across three terms. His convictions marked significant milestones in the long-running legal proceedings surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh killings. His 2018 conviction by the Delhi High Court led directly to his formal resignation from the Congress party, ending his active political career and resulting in his incarceration at Tihar Jail.

What to Watch Next

Prior to his death, Kumar’s December 2018 life sentence regarding the Palam Colony killings was pending under appeal before the Supreme Court of India. The status and procedural conclusion of matters currently pending before the courts form the immediate legal follow-up following his demise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the cause of Sajjan Kumar’s death?

Safdarjung Hospital stated that Kumar was brought in with altered sensorium, had a medical history involving Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure, and could not be saved despite emergency resuscitation and life-support measures.

Which cases was Sajjan Kumar convicted in?

Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court in December 2018 for the murder of five Sikhs and the burning of a gurdwara in Palam Colony during the 1984 riots. In February 2024, he received a second life sentence in a case involving the murder of Jaswant Singh and Tarundeep Singh in Saraswati Vihar.

Was Sajjan Kumar acquitted in any case?

Yes. In January 2026, a Delhi court acquitted him in a case related to 1984 riot violence in Janakpuri, citing an absence of credible evidence. However, he remained in Tihar Jail due to his existing life sentences.

Source: Reported based on disclosures from Safdarjung Hospital and reporting by The Hindu with PTI inputs.