Sajjan Kumar was 'kingpin' of 1984 anti-Sikh riots: CBI

New Delhi: Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was the "kingpin" of gruesome offence in which Sikhs were "massacred" in Delhi during the 1984 anti-Sikhs riots, CBI told the Supreme Court on Monday while opposing his plea seeking bail.

Kumar has challenged in the apex court the Delhi High Court verdict of December 17 last year that awarded him life imprisonment for the "remainder of his natural life" in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

73 year old Kumar, who is lodged in jail, has also filed an application seeking bail. His bail application came up for hearing on Monday before a bench of Justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, opposed his plea saying it would be a "travesty of justice" if Kumar was granted bail as he is facing trial in another 1984 anti-Sikh riots case at Patiala House district court here.

"This is a gruesome offence of massacre of Sikhs. He (Kumar) was the leader and he was the kingpin of this," Mehta told the bench.