BJP Calls 2020 Delhi Riots an ‘Anti-Hindu Massacre’ After Tahir Hussain's Conviction in IB Officer Ankit Sharma Murder Case

A day after a Delhi court convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four others in the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp political attack, describing the violence as an "anti-Hindu massacre."

The remarks came as political reactions intensified following the verdict, which is seen as a significant development in one of the most high-profile criminal cases arising from the communal violence that claimed more than 50 lives in February 2020.

BJP Targets AAP Over Conviction

Reacting to the court's decision, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the 2020 violence specifically targeted members of the Hindu community and accused the AAP leadership of attempting to protect Tahir Hussain when the allegations first surfaced.

The BJP also demanded an apology from AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, claiming the party had failed to act promptly despite serious accusations against its former councillor.

AAP Distances Itself From Tahir Hussain

Responding to the BJP's allegations, AAP reiterated that Tahir Hussain had been expelled from the party years ago and asserted that his actions had no connection with the organisation.

The party maintained that Hussain is no longer associated with AAP and rejected attempts to politically link his conviction to the party's current leadership.

What the Court Ruled

A special court at Delhi's Karkardooma Courts convicted Tahir Hussain and four co-accused in the murder of IB staffer Ankit Sharma, whose death became one of the most widely reported incidents during the 2020 riots.

The conviction marks the first murder conviction in connection with the northeast Delhi riots, making it a landmark judgment in the years-long legal proceedings related to the violence. Sentencing is expected to follow in accordance with the court's schedule.

Background of the Case

Ankit Sharma, an Intelligence Bureau employee, went missing during the communal clashes in northeast Delhi in February 2020. His body was later recovered from a drain near the area where violence had erupted.

Investigators alleged that Sharma was attacked by a mob and murdered during the riots. Tahir Hussain was among those named as accused, and the case has remained one of the most closely watched legal proceedings stemming from the violence.

Political Debate Rekindled

The verdict has once again brought the 2020 Delhi riots back into the political spotlight, with the BJP using the judgment to criticise its rivals, while the AAP has sought to distance itself from Hussain.

Legal experts note that while the conviction resolves a key murder case linked to the riots, several other cases arising from the 2020 violence are still pending before various courts.