In a landmark ruling, a Delhi court has convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Tahir Hussain for his involvement in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Delhi riots. The Karkardooma court, in its comprehensive 320-page judgment delivered by Session Judge Praveen Singh, found that Hussain was part of an unlawful assembly with a hostile intent against the Hindu community.
Details of the Judgment
The court concluded that the prosecution had provided irrefutable evidence proving that Hussain was an active participant in the unlawful assembly that engaged in rioting, looting, and arson. Judge Singh noted that on February 25, 2020, at around 5:00 p.m., Hussain was among a large crowd gathered at Chand Bagh Pulia with the intent to target and harm the Hindu community. The court emphasized that the assembly’s actions were deliberate, and the participants were aware that their conduct could result in death or severe harm.
Convictions and Acquittals
The court determined that the unlawful assembly was heavily armed and involved in the abduction and eventual murder of Ankit Sharma. According to the judgment, the assembly surrounded, abducted, and murdered Sharma in a brutal attack. As a member of this group, Hussain was held vicariously liable for the crimes committed. He was convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 188 (disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant), 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person), and 302 (murder).
However, Hussain was acquitted of charges related to criminal conspiracy under Section 120B, public mischief under Section 505, and abetment under Section 109. In addition to Hussain, four other individuals—Nazir, Asim, Javed, and Anas—were also convicted for similar offences. The sentencing for the convicts will be determined in separate proceedings.
Furthermore, the court acquitted six accused individuals, namely Haseen, Firoz, Gulfam, Shoaib Alam, Sameer Khan, and Muntazim, due to lack of sufficient evidence.
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Background of the Case
The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Ankit Sharma’s father, Ravinder Kumar, on February 26, 2020. Kumar’s complaint detailed the violent protests between anti-CAA and pro-CAA groups at Chand Bagh Pulia, which saw stone-pelting, arson, and gunfire. He accused Hussain, then a municipal councilor, of instigating violence and using his office as a base to orchestrate attacks, including firing shots and throwing petrol bombs.
According to Kumar, his son Ankit went missing after leaving to buy household items and was later found deceased in the Khajuri Khas nala. Kumar alleged that Hussain and his associates murdered Ankit and disposed of his body in the drain. The court’s decision marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice for Ankit Sharma’s family.
