The 2020 Delhi violence, in which at least 53 people, mostly Muslims, were killed, could see the Delhi Police challenge the acquittal of six Muslim men in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, even as several Hindutva men accused of violence have been acquitted while Muslim activists and anti-CAA protesters remain jailed.
The Delhi High Court was informed on Wednesday that the Delhi Police was preparing to appeal against the acquittal of the six Muslim men in the case arising from the February 2020 violence.
The submission was made before a Bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan while hearing an appeal filed by two convicts, Nazim and Kasim, challenging their convictions in the case.
Special Counsel for the Delhi Police Rajat Nair told the court that the State was also in the process of challenging the acquittal of the six accused. “The state is also preferring an appeal. There are six accused who have been acquitted. We are in process,” Nair said.
The court recorded the submission and issued notice to the Delhi Police on the appeal filed by Nazim and Kasim. The matter has been listed for consideration of the application on December 2.
On July 13, a trial court convicted former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain and four others in connection with Sharma’s murder. Hussain, Nazim, Kasim, Javed and Anas were convicted under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those relating to rioting, unlawful assembly, promoting enmity between groups, kidnapping and murder. Six other accused were acquitted.
The case followed a complaint filed by Sharma’s father, Ravinder Ku,mar, on February 26, 2020. He alleged that violence, including stone-pelting, arson and firing, had erupted around Chand Bagh Pulia amid competing anti-CAA and pro-CAA demonstrations. He further alleged that Hussain had gathered people at his nearby office, from where stones and petrol bombs were thrown and shots fired.
Sharma, who had left home on February 25 to buy household goods, did not return. His body was later recovered from a drain near Chand Bagh Pulia.
The Delhi violence has since generated sharp criticism over what opponents describe as selective prosecution. While several Hindutva activists have been acquitted in cases linked to the violence, citing insufficient evidence, contradictory testimony and investigative lapses, Muslim activists and anti-CAA protesters have continued to face prosecution, including under stringent anti-terror legislation.