Delhi Riots – Court Hears Final Arguments on Death Penalty for Tahir Hussain
Delhi Riots –The Delhi Police on Monday strongly argued before a Delhi court that former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four other convicted men should receive the death penalty for the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. According to the prosecution, the crime reflected extreme brutality and qualified as one of the “rarest of rare” cases under Indian law. The court has reserved its decision on the quantum of punishment and is expected to pronounce the order on Friday.
Prosecution Seeks Maximum Punishment
The arguments were presented before Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh by Special Public Prosecutor Madhukar Pandey. During the hearing, the prosecutor maintained that Sharma was allegedly abducted, subjected to repeated physical assault and ultimately killed by the convicted individuals during the communal violence that erupted in February 2020.
The prosecution further claimed that the assault continued even after the victim had succumbed to his injuries, describing the conduct of the convicts as exceptionally cruel. It urged the court to consider the gravity of the offence while determining the appropriate punishment.
Court Earlier Held Five Accused Guilty
On July 14, the court convicted Tahir Hussain and four co-accused on multiple charges, including murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and rioting under Section 147, along with other related offences. The convictions followed an extensive trial examining evidence linked to the killing of the Intelligence Bureau officer during the riots.
With the conviction already recorded, the current stage of the proceedings is limited to deciding the sentence that should be imposed on the five convicts.
‘Rarest of Rare’ Argument Presented
During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution insisted that the nature of the offence justified capital punishment. It described the killing as a deliberate and cold-blooded act marked by exceptional violence. Referring to the condition in which Sharma’s body was recovered, the prosecutor argued that the incident demonstrated a level of brutality that placed it within the legal framework reserved for the “rarest of rare” category, where the death penalty may be considered.
The prosecution also argued that those responsible for such acts should not expect leniency after showing no compassion toward the victim during the incident. It requested the court to impose the strictest punishment permitted under the law.
Sentencing Order Reserved
After hearing the submissions made by the prosecution, Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh reserved the matter for orders on sentencing. The court is scheduled to announce its decision on Friday, when it will determine whether the convicts will receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The case has remained one of the most closely followed trials arising from the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, with the sentencing order expected to carry significant legal importance.
Delhi High Court Questions ‘Kala Hiran’ Film Teaser
In a separate development on Monday, the Delhi High Court expressed strong reservations over the teaser of the upcoming film Kala Hiran, which reportedly references actor Salman Khan and the 1998 alleged blackbuck poaching case.
The court questioned the film’s producer during the proceedings and indicated that it was inclined to pass an order directing the removal of the teaser from public platforms. The matter came up during a hearing concerning the content of the promotional material, with further legal proceedings expected in the case.