2020 Delhi Riots: HC Grants Bail to 3 Men in IB Staffer Ankit Sharma Murder Case

The Delhi High Court granted bail to three individuals, Shoaib Alam, Gulfam, and Javed, accused in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

However, a single bench of Justice Navin Chawla dismissed the bail plea filed by another accused, Nazim, in the case. Former Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Tahir Hussain is the prime accused in the case.

FIR

An FIR was registered at Dayalpur police station based on the complaint made by the deceased’s father, who had initially filed a missing report when his son disappeared during the riots. Ankit’s body was later discovered in a drain and declared brought dead by GTB hospital.

Ankit Sharma, an Officer with the Intelligence Bureau, left his house around 5 pm to buy groceries and household items but did not return home. His body was found in a drain near Chand Bagh Pulia, bearing sharp injuries on his head, face, chest, back, and waist.

A complaint was lodged by the deceased’s father, suspecting his son was killed by Tahir Hussain and his associates. The post-mortem report revealed 51 injuries caused by sharp-edged weapons and blunt force.

Tahir Hussain

In March 2023, the trial court framed charges against Tahir Hussain, Haseen, Nazim, Kasim, Sameer Khan, Anas, Firoz, Javed, Gulfam, Shoaib Alam, and Muntajim under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, including sections 147, 148, 153A, 302, 365, 120B, 149, 188, and 153A. Additionally, Hussain faced charges under sections 505, 109, and 114 of IPC, while accused Nazim faced an additional charge under section 25 of the Arms Act.

The trial court, while framing charges, noted that it was not necessary for all members of the mob to commit overt acts in Ankit Sharma’s killing and that evidence suggested the mob acted in a “well-prepared manner” to attack Hindus and their properties, indicating a premeditated plan.

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