Delhi court sentences Tahir Hussain, 4 others to life imprisonment in IB Officer Ankit Sharma’s murder case

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Karkardooma court on Friday awarded a life sentence to Tahir Hussain and four other convicts in the IB official Ankit Sharma murder case of 2020. He was murdered during the North East Delhi riots in February 2020 in Dayal Pur area. His mutilated body was recovered from a drain.

The court observed the crime was heinous, barbarious, that shook the conscience of the society. The deceased was dragged like an animal after the murder. However it doesn’t fall under the category of rarest of rare cases. The Prosecution was not able of attribute any specific role to any of the convicts.

The prosecution had sought a capital punishment for all the convicts citing the barbarity during commission of offence. It was also submitted that heavy cutting weapon was used in commission of offence. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) awarded life sentence to Tahir Husain, Nazim, Kashim, Javed, Anas for the offence of murder. The court imposed a fine of Rs. 5 lakh on Tahir Husain and Rs. 25,000 on the other accused persons each.

#WATCH | Delhi | Karkardooma Court awarded life imprisonment to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of IB official Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots

He says, “I will get justice from the High Court.” pic.twitter.com/EnHzd9fjID

— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2026

They have been additionally sentenced to 7 Years imprisonment for the offence of Kidnapping and imposed fine also. The court has imposed a fine of Rs. 50000 on Tahir Hussain and Rs. 10000 on the other convicts each for the offence of kidnapping. They have also been sentenced for the offences of promoting enmity among communities, rioting, etc.

Joint commissioner of Police (Crime) Surendra Kumar and other officers were also present during the hearing. The convicts were brought to court room in heavy police deployment.

The family members including wife of convicts broke down after the pronouncement of sentence. After the sentence while leaving the court room told the media that he is not satisfied with the judgement and the score will be settled at High court.

The court had reserved the order on sentence after hearing the submissions of Delhi and counsel for accused persons on July 27. The court had Convicted Ex MCD councilor Tahir Hussain and four other Accused on July 13.

JUSTICE SERVED

Karkardooma Court awarded life imprisonment to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of IB official Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots

Here’s the video from 2020 pic.twitter.com/3dH2zei83q

— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) July 31, 2026

On July 27, 2026 Prosecution had sought capital punishment for Tahir Hussain and four others for murdering Ankit Sharma. It had said that the crime was anti social and abhorrent. It is the rare case of rare cases.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Madhukar Pandey had sought capital punishment and submitted that These convicts are savage. They did not remain human while committing the offence. They should be kept behind the bars and should be provided death sentence, the SPP had submitted. It was submitted that it was a cold blooded murder. It was deliberate. Heavy cutting weapon was used. It is akin to a butcher.

The SPP had also said before the court that the killing should not be seen in isolation adding that In north east Delhi riots 53 people were died. So the context is important. The conduct of the rioters including convicts demands that they be given death sentence, the SPP had said.

It was also said that there 51 injuries on the body of Ankit Sharma, seven were sufficient to cause death. A heavy cutting weapon was used. It is also submitted that the Convicted were not provoked by the deceased.

“They committed the offence without caring for the punishment. They deserve death sentence,” SPP had submitted. The SPP had also submitted that law laid down by the Supreme Court squarly applied to this case. They should be given death sentence.

On the other hand, Advocate Rajiv Mohan, counsel for Tahir while praying for leniency in sentence had said that the death sentence cannot be given in every murder case.The aggravating and mitigating factors should be assessed.

It was also submitted that six accused out of 11 have been acquitted by the court. Tahir Hussain has been convicted for the substantive offence of Section 188 and he has vicarious liability for other offences and common intention. He is convicted for common intention, the counsel said.

It was further submitted by the defence counsel that There was a huge crowd at Chand Bagh Pulia. Tahir hussain was part of unlawful assembly with a common intention to commit rioting. The counsel had said that Tahir Hussain has been Convicted for vicarious liability for unlawful assembly. The prosecution was not able to prove any aspect of Conspiracy during the trial the counsel added.

“In this case police cited Conspiracy and in another case police have alleged larger Conspiracy adding that the Accused person charges for actually inflicted injuries have been acquitted,” Advocate Rajiv Mohan had argued. The counsel for Tahir Hussain ahd also said that the role attributed to the accused is a guiding factor to give sentence. The counsel said that police was present there and was not able to stop the Rioting.

In this case the liability cannot be put upon the Accused. His conviction is based upon the presence of convict, the counsel submitted. “There is no preperation, no Conspiracy, the deceased was taken by the crowd and brutality were done. This case is not at par with the cases which provided death sentence,” the counsel argued.

It was also submitted that the conduct of Tahir Hussain remain satisfactory during the custody. It should be considered while giving the sentence. The counsel had said that no particular role has been attributed to Tahir Hussain. Therefore this case doesn’t fall under the category of rarest of rare cases.

Advocate Tara Narula had also argued for Tahir Hussain and submitted that he has three children, and his wife is a home maker. His father is old age. “It was also submitted that he was MCD councilor at the time of incident. Some portion is sealed. His family is residing in the back petition. His family doesn’t have any other source of income except rent of Rs. 83000.”

Abdul Gaffar Khan appeared for convicts Kasim and Nazim and submitted that there was a situation of rioting and both communities were involved. Ankit Sharma was alongwith 2-3 boys on the day of incident. He was having a danda in his hand, there was provocation. However the court rejected the contention.

Advocate Salim Khan alongwith Shavana appeared for Anas and Javed. It was submitted that they are sole bread earners of their families. In Rebuttal the SPP Madhukar Pandey had said that the person seeking mercy should show mercy. No one has a licence to kill someone.

It was submitted that Ankit Sharma was dragged after tying The clothes in his neck and he was thrown in a nala from a building. The conduct of these convicts during the commission shows that they had turned into a beast, the SPP Said.

The SPP also had submitted that being a mcd councilor, a public servant, it was the duty of Tahir Hussain to save Ankit Sharma. Each and every member of the mob is liable to be published for the offence. While pleading mercy, they (convicts) are telling half truth , the SPP had said. (ANI)