Hours after a Delhi court convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor Tahir Hussain for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) employee Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, Ankit’s father told HT that he was “happy that the judge understood the father’s pain of living without a son”.
Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of Karkardooma Courts convicted Hussain of murder, promoting hostility between different religions, and rioting using lethal weapons. Four others – Nazim, Qasim, Javed and Anas – were also convicted of both charges excluding murder, and six others were acquitted of all charges in the case.
Speaking to HT, 53-year-old Ravinder Kumar said the verdict brought some solace after more than five years of waiting. “All I want is for the judge to give them a severe punishment so that they suffer for the brutality they showed while killing Ankit. Anything less would be disrespectful to my son.”
Ankit’s brother said they want “the accused to get maximum punishment.”
“Today, only a few have been convicted. We want everyone involved in my brother’s killing to face the law… They should be executed,” he said.
The penalty amount will be announced soon.
According to the prosecution, Ankit was allegedly killed near his home in Khajuri Khas on February 25, 2020, after he encountered clashes between two groups in the Chand Bagh Pulia (bridge) area. While trying to calm both sides, he was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and stabbed by a mob of 20 to 25 people before being thrown into a sewer drain in the area.
Read also: Relatives of IB officer killed in 2020 Delhi riots want former AAP leader Tahir Hussain and other convicts to be hanged
While Kumar was not present in court, he said he was eagerly awaiting the verdict. “I initially came to court during the trial to record my statement as the complainant, but my family and I were afraid to attend the hearings after the incident… Attending court only reopens old wounds.”
The family has now left their home in Khajuri Khas and moved to another place in the city due to fear and shock. “Passing near the Chand Bagh drain where Ankit’s body was dumped became unbearable for our family. So we moved to another place to find peace.”
Kumar praised the prosecution for fighting the case tooth and nail. He said: “There is evidence and statements from several witnesses that mention the names of the accused. I am happy that the judge understood the pain of living without a son, and I hope that the sentence is proportional to their crimes.”
