What happened: life sentence in the Ankit Sharma murder case and immediate party reactions

A Delhi court awarded a life sentence to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. After the verdict, the BJP and AAP traded allegations about responsibility for riot-linked violence and the role of political patronage.

The BJP welcomed the decision, stating that the conviction supports the BJP view that AAP-backed elements spread riots. The AAP responded that Tahir Hussain was indirectly working for the BJP and rejected the BJP narrative.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that Delhi residents want answers from the AAP and argued that AAP leaders attempted to protect Tahir Hussain even after his arrest. Rekha Gupta also stated that the verdict strengthens public faith in the law and judiciary. BJP president Harsh Malhotra said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should be ashamed for sheltering such criminals within the party and repeated claims about political influence used to protect accused persons. Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra described the sentencing as the beginning of justice.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the AAP expelled Tahir Hussain after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered. Bharadwaj also alleged that Tahir Hussain contested an assembly election on a different party ticket and characterised this as a “well-planned strategy by the BJP”, while accusing the BJP of benefiting politically from the riots and also of embracing individuals involved in serious crimes.

Background and earlier position: riot-linked cases and party accountability claims

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