NEW DELHI, July 14: In a significant judicial development related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, a Delhi court on Monday convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four co-accused in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. The verdict comes more than six years after the communal violence that shook the national capital and claimed dozens of lives.
Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh delivered the judgment after examining evidence and witness testimonies in a trial involving 11 accused. While five individuals, including Hussain, were found guilty, the court is yet to complete proceedings concerning the remaining accused.
Court Holds Hussain Guilty on Multiple Charges
The court convicted Tahir Hussain under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to murder, rioting, promoting enmity between communities, assault, and the use of criminal force. The judgment concluded that the prosecution had established his involvement in the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The case stems from an FIR registered at the Dayalpur Police Station following a complaint filed by Ravinder Kumar, father of the deceased Intelligence Bureau officer.
Events Leading to the Murder
According to the prosecution, Ankit Sharma returned to his residence on February 25, 2020, after finishing work at the Intelligence Bureau. Shortly afterward, he left home again but failed to return.
Concerned family members launched a search operation before receiving information from local residents that Sharma had allegedly been attacked by a violent mob. His body was later discovered in the Khajuri Khas drain near the Chand Bagh area of northeast Delhi.
Investigators alleged that Sharma was assaulted during the riots before his body was disposed of in the drain. The discovery of his body became one of the most disturbing incidents reported during the communal clashes.
Complaint Named Tahir Hussain
In his complaint to the police, Ravinder Kumar accused Tahir Hussain and several others of orchestrating the attack. He alleged that the accused had assembled inside Hussain’s premises during the violence and were involved in the murder before disposing of the victim’s body.
Following the allegations and the registration of the criminal case, the Aam Aadmi Party suspended Hussain from the party. Since then, he has remained one of the principal accused in multiple riot-related investigations.
Charges Framed in 2023
In March 2023, the Delhi court formally framed charges against Hussain and ten other accused after reviewing the investigation conducted by the Delhi Police.
The prosecution invoked provisions dealing with:
Murder
Criminal conspiracy
Rioting
Rioting with deadly weapons
Promoting enmity between different communities
Tahir Hussain also faced additional charges concerning abetment and statements allegedly capable of inciting public disorder.
Other Convicted and Accused Individuals
Apart from Hussain, four other accused were convicted in connection with the case. Proceedings involving the remaining accused continued as part of the judicial process.
The individuals named in the charge sheet include Haseen alias Mullaji alias Salman, Nazim, Kasim, Sameer Khan, Anas, Firoz, Javed, Gulfam, Shoaib Alam alias Bobby and Muntajim alias Musa.
The court assessed documentary evidence, forensic material, witness statements and other records before reaching its conclusion.
Background of the 2020 Delhi Riots
The murder took place during the large-scale communal violence that erupted across northeast Delhi in February 2020 amid protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Several neighbourhoods witnessed prolonged clashes involving stone-pelting, arson, vandalism and attacks on homes, shops and public property. The violence resulted in widespread destruction and disrupted normal life for several days.
Official records indicate that 53 people lost their lives while hundreds sustained injuries during the riots, making it one of the deadliest episodes of communal unrest in the capital in recent decades.
Importance of the Verdict
Legal experts believe the conviction represents an important milestone in the prosecution of major cases arising from the 2020 Delhi riots. Over the past several years, multiple investigations have examined allegations involving murder, conspiracy, destruction of property and communal violence.
The judgment also underscores the lengthy judicial process involved in handling large-scale riot cases, where courts examine extensive documentary evidence, forensic reports and testimony from numerous witnesses before delivering verdicts.
Next Stage of Proceedings
Following the conviction, the court is expected to hear arguments on the quantum of punishment before pronouncing the sentence. Both the prosecution and the defence will have the opportunity to present submissions regarding sentencing.
The convicted individuals also retain the legal right to challenge the verdict before a higher court in accordance with established judicial procedures.
Conclusion
The conviction of former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others in the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma marks one of the most consequential verdicts arising from the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. While the judgment closes an important chapter in a case that drew nationwide attention, the sentencing phase and potential appellate proceedings will determine the next course of this long-running legal battle.