Court’s Decision

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain in the case concerning the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna pronounced that “the bail application is denied.” A detailed order copy is awaited.

Background of the Case

• Incident: On February 25, 2020, Ankit Sharma went missing during the riots. His body was discovered the next day in a drain in Chand Bagh near his residence, bearing 51 stab wounds.

• Police Allegations: Sharma was allegedly beaten and killed by a mob led by Hussain.

• Political Context: Hussain was suspended by the AAP following the riots and later joined AIMIM.

• Charges: In June 2020, Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Hussain and others, accusing them of murder, rioting, criminal conspiracy, dacoity, promoting enmity, and offences under the Arms Act.

• Trial Status: A trial court framed charges in March 2023 against Hussain and 10 others.

Defense Arguments

• Hussain’s counsel argued that:

  • Several eyewitnesses did not implicate him.

  • Eight co-accused had already been granted bail.

  • He has spent nearly five years in custody, with witnesses already examined, reducing the chance of interference.

Prosecution’s Case

• Represented by Special Public Prosecutor Rajat Nair and Advocate Dhruv Pande, the Delhi Police opposed bail, arguing that:

  • Sharma’s killing was pre-planned and brutal, intended as a warning to law enforcement.

  • Witnesses consistently identified Hussain as the leader of the mob, who incited violence and directed the attack.

  • Hussain held significant local influence, and his release could lead to witness intimidation or evidence tampering.

Court’s Rationale

While the detailed judgment is awaited, the High Court’s denial of bail suggests concurrence with the trial court’s earlier reasoning:

• The gravity of the offence (murder with 51 stab wounds).

• The risk of influencing witnesses or obstructing justice.

• The impact on public confidence in the judiciary if bail were granted.

Way Forward

Hussain will remain in judicial custody until the completion of the trial. The case, a high-profile episode of the 2020 Delhi riots, continues to draw national attention as it embodies the communal violence and political tensions that gripped the capital.