Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain has been convicted by a Delhi court in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The verdict, delivered more than six years after the violence, is considered a major development because it is the first murder conviction in a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Tahir Hussain Convicted in Ankit Sharma Murder Case
Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of Delhi’s Karkardooma Court convicted Tahir Hussain along with four other accused—Javed, Anas, Nazim and Kasim. The court acquitted six other accused due to insufficient evidence.
The court found Tahir Hussain guilty of offences including murder, rioting, promoting enmity between groups, kidnapping and unlawful assembly. However, he was acquitted of the charge of criminal conspiracy.
Who Was Ankit Sharma?
Ankit Sharma was a 26-year-old Intelligence Bureau officer. He went missing during the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020. His body was later recovered from a nearby drain.
His death became one of the most high-profile cases linked to the riots and remained under investigation for several years.
What Happened During the 2020 Delhi Riots?
The northeast Delhi riots broke out in February 2020 during protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The violence lasted several days, leaving more than 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Homes, shops and religious places were damaged in several parts of the city.
The murder of Ankit Sharma became one of the most closely watched cases arising from the riots.
Why Is This Verdict Significant?
Legal experts say this is the first murder conviction connected to the 2020 Delhi riots. Many other riot-related cases are still pending before different courts.
The judgment is expected to influence the legal proceedings in several other cases linked to the violence.
What Happens Next?
The court has pronounced the conviction. The next stage will be the hearing on the quantum of sentence, after which the court will decide the punishment for the convicted persons. They also have the legal right to challenge the verdict before a higher court.
Conclusion
The conviction of former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain marks a major milestone in the legal process related to the 2020 Delhi riots. While the court has held five accused guilty in the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma, the sentencing hearing is still awaited. The verdict is likely to remain a significant reference point in the remaining riot-related cases.
