The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) on Monday announced that it had secured the acquittal of Gulfam and Shoaib in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, which arose from the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
The judgment was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of Delhi’s Karkardooma Court in the case State v. Md. Tahir Hussain & Others, arising out of FIR No. 65/2020 registered at Dayalpur police station.
The court acquitted Gulfam and Shoaib after finding insufficient evidence against them, while convicting former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain and four others in the case.
APCR Says It Provided Legal Assistance Throughout the Trial
In a statement, APCR said it had ensured continuous legal representation for Gulfam and Shoaib from the beginning of the proceedings through its panel of advocates.
“The acquittal follows years of legal proceedings during which APCR remained committed to safeguarding the constitutional right to a fair trial and due process,” the organisation said.
APCR added that it had earlier secured bail for both accused in several other cases linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.
Team of Lawyers Represented the Two Accused
According to APCR, advocates Rajiv Mohan, Tara Narula, Sonal Sarda and Shivangi Sharma represented Gulfam and Shoaib during the trial.
The organisation credited the legal team’s efforts for the acquittal after years of court proceedings.
‘Fair Trial Is a Cornerstone of Justice’: APCR
Reiterating its commitment to legal aid, APCR said access to competent legal representation is a fundamental part of the criminal justice system.
“Access to competent legal representation is a cornerstone of the criminal justice system. The organisation remains committed to extending legal assistance to individuals facing criminal prosecution, ensuring that every accused receives a fair trial in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” the statement said.
Background of the Case
The case relates to the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma during the communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020.
In the same judgment, the court convicted Tahir Hussain and four others on charges including murder, rioting and promoting enmity, while acquitting Gulfam, Shoaib and four other accused after finding insufficient evidence against them. The sentencing of the convicted persons will be taken up separately.
