Nearly six years after the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, a Delhi court has convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. The verdict follows years of investigation, forensic analysis, witness testimonies and trial proceedings.
The prosecution alleged that Sharma was attacked and killed by a violent mob before his body was dumped into a drain during the communal violence in northeast Delhi.
Timeline: From Delhi Riots to Conviction
February 17–23, 2020
Tensions escalated across several areas of northeast Delhi over protests supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Sensitive localities included:
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Jaffrabad
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Maujpur
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Chand Bagh
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Karawal Nagar
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Khajuri Khas
February 24, 2020
Large-scale communal violence broke out across northeast Delhi, with reports of:
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Stone pelting
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Arson
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Firing
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Clashes between groups
Police deployed additional forces as violence spread.
February 25, 2020
IB officer Ankit Sharma, aged 26, left his home to buy household essentials but did not return.
On the same day, allegations surfaced that stones and petrol bombs were being thrown from the rooftop of Tahir Hussain's house in Chand Bagh.
February 26, 2020
Sharma's body was recovered from a drain in Khajuri Khas.
According to the post-mortem report, he had suffered multiple injuries caused by sharp-edged weapons.
His father, Ravinder Kumar, filed an FIR accusing Tahir Hussain and others of murdering his son.
February 27, 2020
Delhi Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case.
Forensic experts examined the crime scene and collected evidence.
March 2020
Delhi Police arrested Tahir Hussain.
Investigators claimed they recovered from his residence:
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Stones
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Petrol bomb-making material
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Acid packets
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Slingshots
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Other objects allegedly linked to the violence
Police alleged that Hussain's house functioned as an operational base during the riots.
June 2020
Delhi Police filed its chargesheet.
According to the prosecution, Ankit Sharma was attacked by a mob, murdered and his body was thrown into a nearby drain.
2021–2022
The prosecution presented:
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Eyewitness testimonies
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Forensic reports
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Electronic and digital evidence
March 23, 2023
The Karkardooma Court framed charges against Tahir Hussain and 11 other accused under sections related to:
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Murder
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Rioting
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Criminal conspiracy
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Other offences
The court observed there was sufficient material to proceed with trial.
2023–2025
The trial continued with examination of:
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Police officials
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Forensic experts
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Eyewitnesses
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Other prosecution witnesses
The defence denied all allegations.
July 13, 2026
The Karkardooma Court convicted Tahir Hussain and the co-accused, holding that the prosecution had proved its case during trial.
The court will pronounce the sentence separately.
Why did Tahir Hussain become the main accused?
According to Delhi Police, multiple pieces of evidence formed the basis of the prosecution's case.
Father's complaint
Ankit Sharma's father alleged that stone pelting, petrol bomb attacks and firing were taking place from Tahir Hussain's residence during the riots and accused him of involvement in his son's murder.
Eyewitness statements
The prosecution presented witnesses who claimed Hussain was present during the violence and was allegedly leading or instigating the mob.
Forensic evidence
Police said they recovered:
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Stones
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Petrol bomb-making material
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Acid packets
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Slingshots
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Other objects
Investigators argued these indicated prior preparation for violence.
Electronic evidence
The prosecution relied on:
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Call Detail Records (CDRs)
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Mobile location data
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Digital evidence
These records were cited to support allegations regarding Hussain's presence and the alleged conspiracy.
What was the defence's argument?
Throughout the trial, Tahir Hussain maintained that he was innocent.
The defence argued that:
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He was falsely implicated for political reasons.
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He had sought police assistance during the violence.
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The allegations against him were unfounded.
The prosecution, however, relied on witness testimony, forensic evidence and electronic records, which the trial court found sufficient for conviction.
What happens next?
While the court has convicted Tahir Hussain and the other accused, it has yet to pronounce the quantum of sentence. The sentencing hearing will determine the punishment after the conviction.
Key Highlights
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Delhi court convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of IB officer Ankit Sharma.
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The case relates to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
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Ankit Sharma's body was recovered from a drain on February 26, 2020.
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Delhi Police alleged Hussain's residence served as an operational base during the violence.
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The prosecution relied on eyewitnesses, forensic evidence, recovered materials and electronic records.
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Tahir Hussain denied the allegations and claimed political targeting.
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The court will announce the sentence separately.
FAQs
Who was Ankit Sharma?
Ankit Sharma was a Security Assistant with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) who was killed during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
Why was Tahir Hussain convicted?
The Karkardooma Court convicted Tahir Hussain after concluding that the prosecution had established its case based on witness testimonies, forensic evidence and other material presented during the trial.
What evidence did the prosecution rely on?
The prosecution relied on eyewitness statements, forensic recoveries, Call Detail Records (CDRs), mobile location data and other electronic evidence.
What did Tahir Hussain argue in his defence?
He maintained that he was innocent, claimed he had been falsely implicated for political reasons and said he had sought police assistance during the riots.
Has the court announced the sentence?
No. The court has delivered the conviction, while the quantum of sentence will be pronounced separately.
