A Delhi court on Monday convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, delivering a significant judgment in one of the most prominent criminal cases linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. While holding Hussain guilty of murder and related offences, the court acquitted him of the charge of criminal conspiracy.
The verdict was pronounced by the Karkardooma Court, nearly six years after the communal violence that claimed dozens of lives and left hundreds injured in the national capital.
Four Others Found Guilty, Six Accused Acquitted
Along with Tahir Hussain, the court also convicted Nazim, Qasim, Anas and Javed in the case. At the same time, six other accused were acquitted after the court found that the prosecution had failed to produce sufficient evidence to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The quantum of punishment will be decided during the sentencing proceedings scheduled at a later stage.
Murder Case Stemmed From 2020 Delhi Riots
The case relates to the killing of IB officer Ankit Sharma during the communal violence that engulfed Northeast Delhi in February 2020. Sharma’s body was later recovered from a nearby drain, an incident that became one of the most widely discussed cases arising from the riots.
Following a complaint lodged by Sharma’s father, Delhi Police registered an FIR at Dayalpur Police Station and named Tahir Hussain along with several others as accused in the case.
Court Drops Criminal Conspiracy Charge
Although the prosecution had invoked multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including the charge of criminal conspiracy, the court held that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the allegation under Section 120B IPC against Tahir Hussain.
However, the court found enough evidence to convict him in connection with the murder and other offences linked to the incident.
Background: 2020 Northeast Delhi Riots
The violence erupted between February 23 and 26, 2020, during protests and counter-protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). What began as clashes between rival groups escalated into widespread communal violence involving arson, stone-pelting and gunfire across several parts of Northeast Delhi.
According to official figures, the riots claimed 53 lives, left more than 500 people injured, and caused extensive damage to homes, shops, schools and places of worship.
Multiple criminal cases were registered in the aftermath, with investigations and trials continuing over the past several years.
Q1. Why was Tahir Hussain convicted?
The Delhi court convicted Tahir Hussain in the murder case of IB officer Ankit Sharma, who was killed during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
Q2. Was Tahir Hussain convicted of criminal conspiracy?
No. The court acquitted him of the criminal conspiracy charge after finding insufficient evidence to sustain the allegation.
Q3. Who else was convicted in the case?
Nazim, Qasim, Anas and Javed were also convicted, while six other accused were acquitted.
Q4. What happened to Ankit Sharma?
Ankit Sharma, an Intelligence Bureau officer, was killed during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, and his body was later recovered from a nearby drain.
Q5. What was the 2020 Delhi riots case about?
The riots occurred in Northeast Delhi between February 23 and 26, 2020, leaving 53 people dead and over 500 injured amid communal violence linked to protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
