Delhi HC Reserves Verdict On Confirming Ariz Khan’s Batla House Death Penalty

The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on the confirmation of the death penalty handed to Ariz Khan following his conviction in the high-profile 2008 Batla House encounter case.

“After hearing arguments, the judgment has been reserved,” announced a bench comprising Justices Siddharth Mridul and Amit Sharma, as the lawyers representing the convict and the State concluded their presentations.

Inspector Sharma, a member of the Delhi Police’s special cell, was killed during an encounter between law enforcement and terrorists in Jamia Nagar, south Delhi, on September 19, 2008. This encounter transpired a few days after a series of synchronized bomb explosions shook the capital city, leading to the death of 39 individuals and the injury of 159. Sharma had raided the place while looking for the terrorists responsible for the blasts.

On March 8, 2021, the trial court found Ariz Khan guilty, determining that he and his associates were responsible for the murder of the police officer and fired gunshots at him.

Subsequently, on March 15, 2021, Khan was sentenced to the death penalty. Additionally, a fine of Rs 11 lakh was imposed on him, with the stipulation that Rs 10 lakh be immediately provided to Inspector Sharma’s family.

Consequently, the high court received a reference to review and confirm the death sentence issued by the trial court against Khan.

The convict also lodged an appeal against the trial court’s ruling, which fell under the “rarest of the rare category,” justifying the most severe penalty, “hanged by neck” till death.