Tahir Hussain convicted in Ankit Sharma murder: 'Verdict significant, but loss irreplaceable'
Synopsis
Five years after IB official Ankit Sharma was killed during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, a Delhi court has convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for his murder. His brother says the verdict is a meaningful step — but the family's grief remains undiminished. It is the first major conviction to emerge from one of Delhi's deadliest episodes of communal violence.
Key Takeaways
The Karkardooma Court convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others — Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim — for the murder of IB official Ankit Sharma .
The murder took place during the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots , one of the deadliest episodes of communal violence in the capital in decades.
Hussain was found guilty of promoting enmity, rioting, assault, use of criminal force, and murder.
Six other accused were acquitted, with the court finding that prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Victim's brother Ankur Sharma called the verdict a significant step but said the family's loss can never be compensated.
The AAP stated it suspended Hussain immediately after the FIR was filed and has had no association with him since.
A Delhi court on Monday, 14 July 2025, convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots — a verdict his family has described as a meaningful step toward justice, but one that cannot fill the void left by his death.
Family's Response to the Verdict
Speaking after the conviction, Ankur Sharma, the victim's brother, said the family continues to live with the pain of losing Ankit, who was on duty when he was killed. 'We are not happy, as my brother is not with us; all I wish is that my brother should get justice,' he said.
Recalling the circumstances of the killing, Ankur added, 'What happened to our brother, the way he was killed on duty, no such thing should ever take place.' He acknowledged the court's verdict as a significant step, but stressed that nothing can compensate for the family's loss.
What the Karkardooma Court Found
The Karkardooma Court found Tahir Hussain guilty on multiple charges, including promoting enmity, rioting, assault, use of criminal force, and murder. Alongside Hussain, four co-accused — Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim — were also convicted in connection with Ankit Sharma's murder.
The court, however, acquitted six other accused, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
AAP's Position on Tahir Hussain
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated that Hussain was suspended immediately after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him, and that the party has had no association with him since. Hussain had previously served as a councillor under the AAP before his suspension.
Background: The 2020 Northeast Delhi Riots
The 2020 northeast Delhi riots, which broke out in February 2020, resulted in the deaths of over 50 people and left hundreds injured, making it one of the worst episodes of communal violence in the capital in decades. Ankit Sharma, an IB official, was among those killed — his body was reportedly found in a drain near Chand Bagh in northeast Delhi. His death drew national attention and became one of the most high-profile cases to emerge from the riots.
This is the first major conviction directly linked to the riots, and legal proceedings in several related cases remain ongoing. The sentencing phase for the convicted individuals is expected to follow in the coming days.
Point of View
The verdict is a milestone, not a resolution. The broader question — whether the full scale of violence from February 2020 will ever be comprehensively adjudicated — remains unanswered, with dozens of related cases still pending.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tahir Hussain and why was he convicted?
Tahir Hussain is a former councillor who was affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before being suspended after an FIR was filed against him. The Karkardooma Court convicted him for the murder of IB official Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, along with charges of promoting enmity, rioting, assault, and use of criminal force.
Who was Ankit Sharma?
Ankit Sharma was an Intelligence Bureau (IB) official who was killed during the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots while reportedly on duty. His body was found in a drain in the Chand Bagh area of northeast Delhi, and his death became one of the most prominent cases to emerge from the riots.
Who else was convicted alongside Tahir Hussain?
Four other individuals — Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim — were convicted alongside Tahir Hussain for Ankit Sharma's murder. Six other accused in the case were acquitted, as the court found the prosecution had not established their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
What was the AAP's response to the conviction?
The Aam Aadmi Party stated that Tahir Hussain was suspended immediately after an FIR was filed against him in connection with the riots, and that the party has had no association with him since his suspension.
What did Ankit Sharma's family say about the verdict?
Ankur Sharma, the victim's brother, described the court's verdict as a significant step toward justice but said it cannot ease the family's grief. 'We are not happy, as my brother is not with us; all I wish is that my brother should get justice,' he said.
