A Delhi court has convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain of murder and rioting in the 2020 killing of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma. The judgment followed a judicial panel's visit to the scene of the crime in May. Four others were also convicted while two were acquitted.
Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of the Karkardooma Court convicted Tahir Hussain on July 15 after finding him part of a mob that abducted and killed 26-year-old Ankit Sharma on February 25, 2020, at Chand Bagh Pulia in Northeast Delhi. The court described the attack as a “savage and relentless assault” and relied on testimony from five eyewitnesses, including parking lot operator Pradeep Verma.
The judge noted that Hussain was present with the unlawful assembly that had gathered with intent to commit rioting and violence against members of the Hindu community. Hussain was convicted of rioting and murder but acquitted of charges of instigation, abetment, and criminal conspiracy.
Nazim, Kasim, and Javed were also convicted of rioting and murder based primarily on Verma’s identification. Firoz and Muntazim alias Musa were acquitted after the court found Verma’s testimony insufficient or unreliable against them.
On May 11, the judicial panel visited Chand Bagh Pulia, Gali 6, and related sites to verify witness accounts. The court observed that key locations were visible from the points described by witnesses, supporting their credibility.
