Delhi riots chronology: From Ankit Sharma's murder to Tahir Hussain's conviction
Nearly six years after the 2020 Delhi riots, the Karkardooma Court has convicted former MCD councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau
Nearly six years after the 2020 Delhi riots, the Karkardooma Court has convicted former MCD councillor Tahir Hussain in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. The verdict follows years of investigation, forensic examination, witness testimonies and trial proceedings. The case became one of the most high-profile prosecutions arising out of the northeast Delhi riots, with investigators alleging that Sharma was killed by a violent mob before his body was dumped in a drain. Read Full Story Here's a detailed timeline of how the case unfolded, from the outbreak of communal violence in 2020 to the court's conviction in 2026. 17-23 FEBRUARY 2020 Tension began escalating across several parts of northeast Delhi over protests for and against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Localities including Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Karawal Nagar and Khajuri Khas emerged as some of the most sensitive areas as the atmosphere became increasingly volatile. 24 FEBRUARY 2020 Large-scale communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi. Stone-pelting, arson and firing were reported from several neighbourhoods. Delhi Police deployed additional forces, but the violence continued to spread across multiple areas. 25 FEBRUARY 2020 This was the day 26-year-old Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma stepped out of his home to buy household essentials. He never returned. His family searched for him throughout the day but could not trace him. On the same day, allegations surfaced that stones and petrol bombs were being hurled from the rooftop of Tahir Hussain's house in Chand Bagh during the violence.
26 FEBRUARY 2020 Shock spread after Ankit Sharma's body was recovered from a drain in Khajuri Khas. The post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered dozens of injuries caused by sharp-edged weapons. His father, Ravinder Kumar, lodged a complaint accusing Tahir Hussain and others of murdering his son. 27 FEBRUARY 2020 Delhi Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder. Forensic experts examined the crime scene and began collecting evidence linked to the case. MARCH 2020 Delhi Police arrested Tahir Hussain. Investigators claimed that searches at his residence led to the recovery of large quantities of stones, material used to make petrol bombs, acid packets, slingshots and other items from the rooftop. Police alleged that Hussain's house had functioned as an operational base for rioters during the violence. JUNE 2020 Delhi Police filed its chargesheet in the case. According to the prosecution, Ankit Sharma was caught by a mob, brutally assaulted to death and his body was later thrown into the drain. 2021-2022 During these two years, several eyewitnesses recorded their statements. Forensic reports and electronic evidence were also submitted before the court as part of the prosecution's case. 23 MARCH 2023 The Karkardooma Court framed charges against Tahir Hussain and 11 other accused under provisions related to murder, rioting, criminal conspiracy and other offences. The court observed that sufficient material existed on record to proceed with the trial. 2023-2025 The prosecution examined police officers, forensic experts, eyewitnesses and other witnesses before the trial court.
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