Full Breakdown
Former AAP Councillor Convicted in 2020 Northeast Delhi Riots Case
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Conviction Details
On October 10, a Delhi court found former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain guilty of abetment to rioting for his role in the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots in the Dayalpur area. The judgment, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh (as reported by three outlets) and Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh (as reported by one outlet), convicted Hussain under Section 147 of the Indian Penal Code (rioting) read with Section 109 (abetment). All other charges against him were dismissed. The same order acquitted the twelve co-accused—Mohammad Shadab, Shah Alam, Riyasat Ali, Gulfam, Rashid, Mohammad Rihan, Mohammad Abid, Arshad Qayyum, Irshad Ahmed, Deepak Singh Saini, Navneet and Mehak Singh—of every allegation.
Background of the 2020 Northeast Delhi Riots
The riots erupted in February 2020 in the Dayalpur locality of northeast Delhi, resulting in 53 deaths, numerous injuries, and property damage valued at crores of rupees. The violence involved arson, looting and stone-throwing, with witnesses alleging that Hussain stood on his roof directing the mob. In a separate proceeding, a July 2023 judgment convicted Hussain and four others for the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, finding them guilty of promoting enmity, rioting, assault, criminal force and murder. Following that conviction, the AAP suspended Hussain.
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Sentencing
The court has listed the matter for a hearing on the quantum of sentence on November 16. A detailed order explaining the reasoning behind the conviction and acquittals is pending. Hussain’s earlier life-imprisonment sentence for the Sharma murder case remains in force.
Data & Statistics
- 13 accused in the Dayalpur case, including Hussain.
- 12 co-accused acquitted of all charges.
- Section 147 (rioting) and Section 109 (abetment) applied to Hussain’s conviction.
- 53 fatalities and crore-rupee property loss reported in the 2020 riots.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the presiding judge’s name: three reports name Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh, while one report cites Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh. The court’s detailed reasoning for the conviction and the exact sentencing range have not yet been released.