In a significant judicial development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday reached a divided verdict regarding the interim bail plea of Tahir Hussain, a former councillor implicated in the 2020 Delhi riots. Justice Pankaj Mithal denied the plea, stating that the arguments presented did not justify granting bail. In contrast, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah favored releasing Hussain on interim bail, highlighting differing judicial perspectives on the matter.
Tahir Hussain has been a central figure in the investigation of the riots that erupted in northeast Delhi on February 24, 2020, which resulted in 53 deaths and numerous injuries. The violence has been etched into public memory due to its scale and the communal tensions it inflamed.
The contentious plea revolves around Hussain’s request to be released temporarily to participate in the upcoming assembly polls, suggesting his continued political ambitions despite the serious charges against him. Hussain is specifically accused in connection with the death of Ankit Sharma, an Intelligence Bureau staffer, whose body was found in a drain in the riot-stricken area with multiple injuries.
The differing opinions between the justices on the Supreme Court bench reflect the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the involvement of political figures in acts of violence and their subsequent participation in public life. As the case could not be resolved by the existing bench, it will now be forwarded to Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who will oversee the formation of a new bench to deliberate on this divisive issue.
