Explainer: Why Tahir Hussain's conviction offers hope to families awaiting justice in 2020 Delhi riots cases
Delhi court convicts former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, four others in the murder case of IB officer Ankit Sharma, who was killed during northeast Delhi riots
On February 23, 2020, in Jaffrabad area of Northeast Delhi, where a sit-in by women against India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, had been in progress on a stretch of the Seelampur–Jaffrabad–Maujpur road, blocking traffic turned violent leading to the killing of 53 people while several others were injured.
The verdict has brought renewed attention to the wait of families of the 52 others who were killed. More than 700 FIRs were registered for murder, rioting, conspiracy, arson and vandalism during the riots.
After six years on Monday, a Delhi court convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others in connection with the murder case of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, who was killed during the northeast Delhi riots in 2020.
This marks first conviction in the riots case, opening way for justice to other family members.
However, in many of the cases, the accused were acquired. Recently on April 20, a court acquitted 10 people saying the prosecution failed to prove the charges against them.
Prior to this, the court had also acquired six more people. In an order dated January 31, the court said, “I find that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove its case against the accused and all the accused are acquitted of all the charges framed against them.”
When so many cases went into acquittal, the conviction of Hussain and others opened a ray of hope to others who are waiting for justice.
Some are still waiting for their trials to begin
Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid are among those incarcerated in Tihar Jail without trial for over six years for their alleged roles as "masterminds" in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots "larger conspiracy" case.
They are being prosecuted under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Recently on July 4, a Delhi court rejected bail plea of the duo. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Court held that the trial court had “no option” but to follow the Supreme Court’s directions.
“Thus, following the said order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, this court cannot entertain the applications and grant bail to the applicants. In fact the applications are not maintainable and they are hereby dismissed,” the court said.
