Former AAP MLA Among Five Convicted in 2020 Murder of Intelligence Bureau Officer During Delhi Riots

Yugcharan News / 14 July 2026

A Delhi court has convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Tahir Hussain along with four other accused in connection with the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the communal violence that shook northeast Delhi in February 2020. The verdict marks a major development in one of the most closely watched criminal cases arising out of the riots, which claimed several lives and caused widespread destruction across multiple localities.

According to the court's decision, Tahir Hussain, along with Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim, has been found guilty of offences including murder, rioting, and other related criminal charges. However, the court reportedly acquitted them of the charge of criminal conspiracy. In the same judgment, six other accused were acquitted after the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence against them.

The case relates to the death of 26-year-old Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from a drain on February 26, 2020, during one of the most violent phases of the northeast Delhi riots. His death had become one of the most disturbing incidents linked to the communal unrest that erupted in the national capital.

The riots occurred against the backdrop of protests and counter-protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Several neighbourhoods, including Chand Bagh, Khajuri Khas, Mustafabad, and nearby areas, witnessed intense clashes, arson, vandalism, and violence over several days.

According to the prosecution, Ankit Sharma had returned home from work on February 25, 2020, when he noticed unrest escalating in his locality. As tensions increased outside his residence, Sharma reportedly stepped out in an attempt to understand the situation and help calm the disturbance. Investigators alleged that he later came into contact with a violent mob operating near the residence of Tahir Hussain.

The prosecution claimed that Sharma was allegedly surrounded by members of the mob and prevented from escaping. It was further alleged that he was taken toward the area near Hussain's residence, where he was attacked with sharp-edged weapons. His body was later recovered from a nearby drain after family members and police initiated a search operation.

The recovery of Sharma's body had shocked the nation. According to the post-mortem findings presented during the trial, the victim had sustained as many as 51 sharp-force injuries on different parts of his body. Medical experts reportedly concluded that multiple severe injuries caused extensive damage to vital organs, resulting in excessive blood loss and death. Investigators also alleged that the body had been disposed of in a drain in an attempt to conceal evidence and delay identification.

During the investigation, Sharma's father, Ravinder Kumar, a former police officer, had described the emotional trauma his family endured after his son failed to return home on the evening of February 25. The following day, while searching for him, information emerged that an unidentified body had been found in a drain. The family later identified the deceased as Ankit Sharma.

The case was investigated extensively by Delhi Police, which filed a detailed chargesheet naming multiple accused. In March 2023, the trial court framed charges against 11 individuals, including Tahir Hussain. The prosecution maintained throughout the proceedings that the accused had participated in unlawful assembly, rioting, and the fatal attack on the Intelligence Bureau officer.

During the trial, both the prosecution and defence presented evidence, witness testimonies, forensic reports, and documentary records. After examining the material placed before it, the court concluded that sufficient evidence existed to convict five of the accused on charges including murder. However, it found that the allegation of criminal conspiracy could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt, leading to acquittal on that specific charge.

The court also extended the benefit of doubt to six other accused due to insufficient evidence linking them directly to the alleged offences. Their acquittal reflects the legal principle that criminal convictions must be based on proof beyond reasonable doubt.

The conviction is being viewed as a significant legal milestone in cases related to the 2020 Delhi riots, many of which have continued through lengthy investigations and court proceedings over the past several years. The riots resulted in numerous criminal cases involving allegations ranging from murder and arson to unlawful assembly and destruction of property.

Earlier in the proceedings, Tahir Hussain had sought bail before higher courts. However, those requests were rejected after courts examined the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence submitted by investigating agencies. The latest judgment now brings the trial in this particular murder case to an important stage, although legal remedies, including appeals before higher courts, remain available to the convicted individuals under Indian law.

The sentencing phase is expected to determine the punishment to be awarded to those convicted. During this stage, both the prosecution and defence will have an opportunity to present submissions regarding the appropriate sentence before the court delivers its final order on punishment.

Legal experts note that while the conviction addresses one of the most prominent cases linked to the Delhi riots, several other cases arising from the violence continue to be heard before different courts. Authorities have consistently maintained that each case is being decided independently based on available evidence and judicial scrutiny.

The 2020 northeast Delhi riots remain one of the most significant incidents of communal violence witnessed in the capital in recent years. The violence resulted in loss of life, injuries to hundreds of people, destruction of homes and businesses, and long-term social and legal consequences. Investigations and judicial proceedings connected to the riots have continued over the years, with courts examining evidence on a case-by-case basis.

The conviction of Tahir Hussain and four others in the Ankit Sharma murder case represents a major development in the judicial process surrounding the 2020 Delhi riots. As the matter proceeds to sentencing and possible appellate proceedings, the case is expected to remain under close public and legal scrutiny.