2020 Delhi Riots: High Court Issues Notice On Tahir Hussain's Bail Plea In IB Staffer Ankit Sharma's Murder Case

Former Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Tahir Hussain on Monday (May 5) moved the Delhi High Court seeking regular bail in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice on Hussain's bail plea and sought status report of the Delhi Police.

The matter will now be heard in July.

Hussain had filed a similar bail plea in the case in December last year. However, the same was withdrawn in February on account of subsequent development with the liberty to approach the trial court.

On March 12, the trial court dismissed his bail plea, observing that there was no material change in the circumstances to grant bail to him. Accordingly, Tahir has now again approached the High Court to seek the relief.

Tahir has completed more than 5 years in custody in the case.

Hussain is represented by Advocates Tara Narula and Shivangi Sharma.

FIR 65 of 2020 was registered at Dayalpur police station on the basis of the complaint made by deceased's father.

He had lodged a missing report when his son went missing during the riots. Ankit's body was later recovered from a drain. He was declared as brought dead by GTB hospital.

The complainant's son Ankit Sharma, an Officer working with the Intelligence Bureau, left his house at around 5 pmon the said date for buying groceries and general household items. However, he did not return home even after several hours.

Later, his dead body was found lying in a drain near Chand Bagh Pulia. He had sustained sharp injuries on his head, face, chest, back and on his waist.

Thereafter, an FIR was registered by the complainant stating that he had strong suspicion that his son was killed by the main accused Tahir Hussain and his associates.

The post-mortem report of the deceased Ankit Sharma revealed that there were 51 injuries caused due to sharp edged weapons and blunt force.

In March 2023, the trial court framed charges against Tahir Hussain, Haseen, Nazim, Kasim, Sameer Khan, Anas, Firoz, Javed, Gulfam, Shoaib Alam and Muntajim. 

Charges were framed under sections 147, 148, 153A, 302, 365, 120B, 149, 188 and 153A of Indian Penal Code, 1860. Hussain was additionally charged under sections 505, 109 and 114 of IPC. Accused Nazim was additionally charged under section 25 of the Arms Act.

Case Title: Tahir Hussain v. State