The Delhi High Court was informed on Tuesday that the Delhi Police intends to challenge the acquittal of six individuals previously accused in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Delhi Riots. This development was revealed in a session presided over by Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan, who were considering the appeal filed by convicts Nazim and Kasim.
Special Counsel for the Delhi Police, Rajat Nair, stated during the hearing, “The State is also preferring an appeal. There are six accused who have been acquitted. We are in process.” The court took note of this statement and accordingly issued a notice to the Delhi Police regarding the appeal against the conviction of Nazim and Kasim.
Justice Prathiba M Singh commented, “We will issue notice today. These appeals arise out of the judgment dated July 13 by which the appellant has been convicted. They have been sentenced for rigorous imprisonment for life under various provisions… The State is also preferring an appeal as there are 6 accused who were acquitted by the trial court. They are in the process. List for consideration of application.” The next hearing is scheduled for December 2.
Convictions and Acquittals
On July 13, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, along with four others, was convicted for the murder of Ankit Sharma. The charges included offenses under the Indian Penal Code such as Section 188 (disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant), Section 153A (promoting enmity between groups), Section 147 (rioting), Section 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), Section 149 (unlawful assembly), Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person), and Section 302 (murder).
The court also found Nazir, Kasim, Javed, and Anas guilty of the same offenses, while acquitting six other defendants. These acquittals are now under scrutiny as the Delhi Police prepares to file an appeal.
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Background of the Case
The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged on February 26, 2020, by Ravinder Kumar, Ankit Sharma’s father. The complaint detailed the events during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Chand Bagh Pulia, Main Karawal Nagar Road. According to the FIR, the protests, which involved stone pelting, arson, and other violent acts, persisted for two to three days.
Ravinder Kumar accused Tahir Hussain, then a Municipal Councillor, of orchestrating these acts by assembling a group of individuals at his office. It was alleged that these individuals engaged in violent activities, including throwing stones and petrol bombs, and firing shots from the rooftop, creating panic among the local populace.
Ravinder further claimed that on February 25, 2020, his son left home to purchase household items but did not return, prompting a missing persons report. Later, information emerged that a youth had been thrown into the Khajuri Khas nala from the Masjid of Chand Bagh pulia. Ankit’s body was subsequently discovered in the nala. Ravinder’s complaint strongly suggested that his son’s death was orchestrated by Hussain and his associates, who allegedly disposed of his body in the drain.
