Delhi Riots 2020: “Tahir Hussain took active part in riots,” Court frames charges against ex-AAP councillor & 5 others

In a case related to the North East Delhi Riots 2020, a Delhi court on Friday set charges against former Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Tahir Hussain and five others.

While doing so, it was observed that Hussain was not a mute spectator but was taking an active part in the riots and instigating the members of the unlawful assembly to teach a lesson to the persons belonging to other communities.

Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhat observed that prima facie, there was an agreement between them to commit vandalization and arson in the properties belonging to the Hindu community from the Building belonging to Tahir Hussain that elaborate preparations had been done to fulfill the object of the agreement or conspiracy.

Charges have been framed against the accused persons under sec. 120B, 147, 148, 427, 435, 436, 395 and 149 of IPC. Additional charges under sec. 109 and 114 IPC have also liable to be framed against Tahir Hussain.

Apart from Hussain, charges have also been framed against five others namely Anas, Firoz, Javed, Gulfam and Shoaib Alam.

It was the case of the prosecution that the accused had hatched a conspiracy with the object of which was to commit riots in Khajuri Khas area thereby targeting the people belonging to the Hindu community as well as their properties and in pursuance to the object of the conspiracy. It was alleged that they had formed an unlawful assembly on 25.02.2020, which was being led by accused Tahir Hussain and which vandalized and set ablaze a godown owned by the complainant Karan.

It was found that the crime spot was at a distance of about 50-60 meters from the Building owned by accused Tahir Hussain. Some residue or remains of the debris and stones, bricks, broken bottles, and pieces of burnt articles were alleged to be found lying on the main Karawal Nagar Road. During the investigation, the Building of Tahir Hussain was allegedly used by the rioters, including the accused herein for brick bating, stone pelting, pelting of petrol bombs, acid bombs, etc.