Tahir Hussain, booked in IB officer's murder-case, suspended by AAP
Tahir Hussain, the councilor of Aam Aadmi Party, was booked in connection to the murder of Intelligence Officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was found from a drain in Northeast Delhi. And in what served as a double whammy for him, Hussain was also suspended by Arvind Kejriwal-led party, late on Thursday. An FIR was registered against the politician after Ankit's family lodged a complaint.
A few days ago, Delhi was hit by riots, killing 38 people from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Ankit, went missing on Tuesday, soon after he returned home at 4:30 pm. He stepped outside to see what was happening as he was taken away, allegedly by Hussain and his aides, Ankit's brother Ankur said. An autopsy report revealed that Ankit was stabbed multiple times.
Later, clips from the spot showed rioters throwing petrol bombs and stones from the rooftop of Hussain's house. "The mob that snatched and killed my brother was operating from Hussain's house," Ankur said. Ankit's father, Ravinder Kumar, also blamed Hussain for the horrific turn of events. Hussain was booked for murder and kidnapping in the FIR, that was registered at Dayalpur police station.
Meanwhile, Hussain claimed innocence. Saying that rioters forcefully entered his house, Hussain added that he took his wife and three children and hid on the ground floor. "A group of people tried breaking the gate of the house and we tried physically blocking it but they succeeded. I called the police several times and they helped us get out," Hussain was quoted by IE.
According to Hussain since he was an AAP member, he was an "easy target". "Police personnel stood guard outside our house till Tuesday 4 pm but left again... I don't know why they did that because the riot started again," he added.
Hussain's alleged involvement with Ankit's murder earned criticism for Kejriwal. When asked about this, the CM said, "Police isn't under me. Be it people from AAP, BJP or Congress, those who fanned the communal fire, those who orchestrated riots, should all be punished even if it is someone from my Cabinet. If he is from AAP, give him double the punishment."
It should be noted that earlier in the day AAP's leaders attempted to defend Hussain. Senior member Sanjay Singh said Hussain has already told his side of the story. And Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan said, "BJP is trying to save its own leaders by framing him in a false case." But as the controversy raged on, AAP suspended Hussain till he is under investigation.
While Hussain's role is being probed, BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who is being slammed for passing incendiary remarks at a pro-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that possibly fanned tensions, claimed others were involved too. "If Hussain's phone call details, during the violence, are released, it would reveal Sanjay Singh and Kejriwal's role in the violence and Ankit Sharma's murder," Mishra said.
"The killer is Hussain. In the video, Tahir Hussain can be seen with the masked boys carrying sticks, stones, bullets and petrol bombs. Tahir Hussain was constantly talking to Kejriwal and AAP leaders," Mishra went on.
