Hussain is accused in the case related to the death of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, who was killed during the Delhi riots in February 2020.
NEW DELHI: Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, who is an accused in the Delhi riots case, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking bail to be able to contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. He aims to stand as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency under the banner of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
The case was scheduled for hearing on Friday(10th Jan) before Justice Neena Krishna Bansal but was not addressed. It is expected to be heard on Monday.
Hussain is accused in the case related to the death of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, who was killed during the Delhi riots in February 2020.
Hussain has been in judicial custody since March 16, 2020. In his petition, he has requested interim bail from January 14 to February 9, 2025, to enable him to file his nomination papers and campaign for the elections. He stated that this bail is crucial not only for filing his nomination form and other necessary documents for the elections but also to allow him to actively engage in campaigning for the polls.
“Such relief is essential not only to facilitate the filing of the Applicant’s nomination form and other requisite documents in connection with the elections but, more importantly, to enable the Applicant to engage in canvassing for the said elections,”
said Hussain in his petition.
The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a notice on his regular bail application, but it will be heard only on January 15. However, the deadline for filing nominations is January 17, and the Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, 2025. Hence, Hussain is seeking interim bail to be able to participate in the election process.
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“Therefore, to ensure that the electorate of the aforesaid constituency can exercise their right to vote in a meaningful manner in the aforesaid election, it is imperative that the Applicant be granted interim bail,” Hussain added in the petition.
It was further pointed out that Hussain is an accused in nine other cases related to the Delhi riots but has already been granted bail in all of them except for this particular case.
The petition was filed by advocates Tara Narula, Sonia Sarda, Shivangi Sharma, and Noyonika on behalf of Hussain.
BRIEF:
An FIR was filed by Ankit Sharma’s father in February 2020 after his son went out for groceries and did not return. Concerned for his safety, Sharma’s father later reported him missing.
The Delhi Police state that the four accused were part of a violent mob that killed Sharma and were involved in rioting and arson during the clashes.
The communal violence in northeast Delhi erupted on February 24, 2020, following escalating tensions between supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and protesters, resulting in at least 53 deaths and numerous injuries.
