Former AAP MLA Convicted in 2020 Delhi Riots Murder Case of Intelligence Bureau Officer

Yugcharan News / 14 July 2026

A Delhi court has convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Tahir Hussain and four other accused in the 2020 murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the communal violence that engulfed northeast Delhi. The verdict marks a significant development in one of the most widely discussed criminal cases arising from the February 2020 riots, which claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured.

The court found Tahir Hussain, along with Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim, guilty of offences including murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and other related charges. However, the court acquitted them of the charge of criminal conspiracy, observing that the prosecution had not established sufficient evidence to prove the existence of a pre-planned conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt. In the same judgment, six other accused were acquitted after the court held that the evidence presented against them was insufficient for conviction.

The case relates to the killing of 26-year-old Intelligence Bureau staff member Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from a drain in northeast Delhi on February 26, 2020, at the height of the communal violence. The incident had attracted nationwide attention because of the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Background of the 2020 Delhi Riots

The violence erupted in several parts of northeast Delhi during February 2020 amid protests and counter-protests concerning the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Areas including Chand Bagh, Khajuri Khas, Mustafabad, Jaffrabad, and neighbouring localities witnessed widespread clashes, arson, vandalism, and attacks on public and private property.

Over several days, violent mobs reportedly engaged in stone pelting, vandalism, and attacks using firearms and sharp-edged weapons. Numerous homes, shops, religious places, and vehicles were damaged during the unrest, while law enforcement agencies struggled to restore normalcy.

The riots eventually became one of the most serious episodes of communal violence witnessed in the national capital in recent years, leading to multiple investigations and criminal cases.

Events Leading to Ankit Sharma's Death

According to the prosecution's case presented during the trial, Ankit Sharma had returned home from work on February 25, 2020. As violence intensified outside his residence, he allegedly stepped out after noticing disturbances in the surrounding area.

Investigators claimed that Sharma moved towards a nearby location where rioters had assembled. The prosecution alleged that he was surrounded by members of the violent crowd and prevented from leaving safely.

The investigation further claimed that he was dragged toward the area near Tahir Hussain's residence, where he was allegedly attacked with sharp-edged weapons. Prosecutors argued that the assault resulted in multiple fatal injuries before his body was disposed of in a nearby drain.

Discovery of the Body

The following day, Sharma's family informed police after he failed to return home. During search operations, local residents alerted authorities about a body lying inside a drain in the affected locality.

Police personnel, assisted by rescue teams, recovered the body from the drain. The recovery shocked investigators and family members alike due to the extent of the injuries sustained by the victim.

According to the post-mortem examination presented during the trial, the body bore numerous stab and sharp weapon injuries. Medical experts concluded that the injuries caused extensive internal damage and resulted in severe blood loss leading to death.

The prosecution argued that disposing of the body in the drain was an attempt to conceal evidence and delay identification during the chaotic circumstances prevailing in the riot-hit area.

Investigation and Trial

Delhi Police conducted an extensive investigation, recording statements from eyewitnesses, collecting forensic evidence, analysing digital records, and examining video footage from the affected area.

In March 2023, the trial court formally framed charges against 11 accused persons. The charges included murder, rioting, promoting enmity between different communities, unlawful assembly, and criminal conspiracy.

Throughout the proceedings, the accused denied the allegations and contested the prosecution's version of events.

After examining witnesses, documentary evidence, forensic material, and legal submissions from both sides over an extended period, the court delivered its verdict convicting five accused while acquitting six others due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Criminal Conspiracy Charge Not Sustained

One of the important aspects of the judgment was the court's decision to acquit the convicted individuals of the criminal conspiracy charge.

The court observed that while the prosecution had established evidence supporting offences such as murder and rioting against the convicted persons, it had not proved the existence of a prior conspiracy to the legal standard required for conviction.

Legal experts note that criminal conspiracy requires proof of an agreement between individuals to commit an unlawful act, which often demands a higher evidentiary threshold.

Previous Bail Proceedings

Before the conclusion of the trial, Tahir Hussain had approached higher courts seeking bail. However, his requests were rejected after courts considered the seriousness of the allegations and the material collected during the investigation.

The High Court had earlier observed that the accusations involved grave offences allegedly committed during large-scale communal violence and therefore did not warrant regular bail at that stage of the proceedings.

Significance of the Verdict

The conviction represents a major milestone in the legal proceedings arising out of the 2020 Delhi riots. Several riot-related cases remain pending before different courts, while investigations in certain matters have continued over the years.

Legal observers believe the judgment reinforces the importance of conducting detailed investigations and ensuring that criminal liability is determined on the basis of admissible evidence rather than public opinion or political considerations.

The verdict also highlights the judiciary's approach of examining each accused individually based on the evidence presented, leading to convictions where sufficient proof existed and acquittals where the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Sentencing to Follow

With the conviction now recorded, the next stage of the proceedings will involve arguments on sentencing. During this phase, the prosecution is expected to seek appropriate punishment based on the gravity of the offences, while the defence may present mitigating circumstances before the court determines the final sentence.

The case continues to remain one of the most closely watched legal proceedings connected to the 2020 Delhi riots and is likely to remain significant in discussions concerning accountability, communal violence, and the criminal justice system in India.