Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain has approached the Delhi High Court challenging his conviction and life imprisonment in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, killed during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The appeal is expected to be listed for hearing before the High Court in the coming week.

Background: The Trial Court Verdict

The appeal challenges the judgment of the Karkardooma Court, which convicted Hussain along with four co-accused — Javed, Anas, Nazim, and Kasim — for the killing of Sharma. Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh sentenced all five to rigorous life imprisonment, holding them guilty of offences including murder, kidnapping, promoting enmity between groups, and rioting with deadly weapons.

The trial court, however, acquitted all five of the charge of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC, and also acquitted six other accused, finding that the prosecution had failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Co-Convicts Had Already Approached the High Court

Hussain's appeal follows similar moves by co-convicts Nazim and Kasim, who had earlier approached the Delhi High Court challenging their conviction and sentence. Their appeals were heard by a Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan. The bench has posted their applications seeking suspension of sentence and bail for consideration on 2 December.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police informed the court that it would separately challenge the acquittal of the six accused who were let off by the trial court. Special Counsel Rajat Nair submitted before the bench: 'The prosecution is also preferring an appeal. There are six accused who have been acquitted. We are in process.'

What the Trial Court Said About the Crime

While pronouncing the sentence, the trial court described the crime as a 'very serious' incident, observing that Sharma was 'brutally murdered' and his body left 'like an animal', adding that the incident had 'shaken the conscience of society.' The Delhi Police had sought the death penalty for Hussain and the other convicts, describing the killing as 'cold-blooded' and citing 51 injuries found on Sharma's body.

The defence had opposed capital punishment, arguing the case did not fall within the 'rarest of rare' category. The defence also contended there was no evidence of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B and urged the court to consider the possibility of Hussain's reformation.

The Murder of Ankit Sharma: What Happened

The case relates to the killing of IB officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from a drain in the Khajuri Khas area on 26 February 2020, during the communal violence that engulfed North-East Delhi. According to the prosecution, Sharma was caught in the violence near his residence on 25 February 2020, when clashes broke out near Chand Bagh Pulia. He was allegedly abducted by a mob, assaulted, and stabbed multiple times before his body was dumped into a nearby drain.

An FIR was registered at Dayalpur police station on the complaint of Sharma's father, Ravinder Kumar, who alleged that his son had gone out to purchase household items and did not return. The communal violence that swept North-East Delhi in February 2020 claimed 53 lives, injured several others, and caused extensive damage to property.

With the Delhi High Court now set to hear appeals from both the convicts and the prosecution, the Ankit Sharma murder case enters a critical judicial phase that could determine whether the life sentences are upheld, reduced, or — in the prosecution's bid — enhanced to capital punishment.