A Delhi court on Saturday, June 1, 2024, sentenced former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four co-accused to life imprisonment for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Delhi riots. The sentencing was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala at Karkardooma Courts, following their conviction in the case on May 20, 2024.

The verdict concludes a significant chapter in the investigations related to the widespread communal violence that erupted in North-East Delhi in February 2020. Ankit Sharma, a 26-year-old IB security assistant, was found dead in a drain in Chand Bagh on February 26, 2020, following the outbreak of riots. His body bore multiple sharp and blunt force injuries, indicating a brutal attack. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Sharma was surrounded by a mob, beaten, and then dragged into the drain where he succumbed to his injuries.

The court, in its earlier conviction order, observed that there was a "pre-planned conspiracy" to target and eliminate individuals during the riots. It noted that the accused, including Tahir Hussain, were part of an unlawful assembly with a common objective to cause harm and participated directly or indirectly in the murder. The location where Sharma's body was discovered was in close proximity to Tahir Hussain's residence, which became a focal point during the investigation due to allegations of its use in orchestrating violence.

The individuals sentenced to life imprisonment alongside Tahir Hussain are:

  • Mohammad Anas
  • Firoz
  • Javed
  • Gulfam

During the sentencing arguments, the prosecution had sought the death penalty for the accused, arguing that the case fell into the "rarest of rare" category due given the brutality and premeditated nature of the crime committed during a period of widespread civil unrest. Conversely, the defence counsel pleaded for leniency, citing the age of the accused and their family responsibilities. After considering the arguments, the court opted for life imprisonment, rejecting the death penalty plea.

The court also directed the payment of compensation amounting to Rs 10 lakh to Ankit Sharma's father, who had been vocal about seeking justice for his son. The case garnered national attention due to the victim's association with a central intelligence agency and the involvement of a public figure in the alleged conspiracy.

The conviction and sentencing underscore the legal repercussions for those involved in the 2020 Delhi riots, a period marked by significant loss of life and property damage. While the immediate legal proceedings have concluded with this sentencing, the convicted individuals retain the right to challenge the judgment in higher courts, including the Delhi High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court of India. Such appeals are a standard part of the Indian judicial process, allowing for further review of the verdict and sentence.