Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) attempted to protect former councillor Tahir Hussain following his conviction for murder.
The allegation intensifies political tension in Delhi as it links the city's current administration to the aftermath of the violent 2020 North East Delhi riots. The case centers on the death of Ankit Sharma, an Intelligence Bureau officer [1].
A Delhi court recently convicted Hussain and four other individuals [2]. The ruling relates to the events of 2020 [2], when violence broke out across North East Delhi. Mishra said the riots were a pre-meditated conspiracy [2].
During a video interview, Mishra said, "Blood is on their hands" [1]. He said the AAP shielded Hussain to prevent the public from discovering the actual masterminds behind the violence [1].
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal disputed these claims. Kejriwal said the party had "expelled him from AAP long back" [3]. The party maintains that Hussain had no official connection to the organization at the time of the legal proceedings.
This legal outcome follows years of investigation into the 2020 unrest. The conviction of five people in this specific case [2] marks a significant step in the judicial process regarding the death of the IB officer [1].
“"Blood is on their hands"”
The conviction of Tahir Hussain transforms a long-standing legal battle into a political liability for the Aam Aadmi Party. By alleging a cover-up, Kapil Mishra is attempting to frame the 2020 riots not as spontaneous violence, but as a coordinated effort with institutional protection, which could influence public perception of the party's governance and security record in Delhi.
