Delhi Riots: High Court Issues Notice On Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain's Bail Plea; Hearing On August 6

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on another bail petition filed by Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain in connection with a Delhi Riots case (FIR 80/2020).

Justice Mukta Gupta has ordered for filing of a status report in the matter, while directing that the case be presented before Justice Yogesh Khanna who is already seized of other pending bail petitions filed by Hussain in multiple Delhi riots cases.

The development came after Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, appearing for Hussain, requested that the case heard by Justice Khanna in view of multiplicity of FIRs. He said:

"A whole lot of FIRs were registered against the petitioner terming him as a conspirator. By chance, this matter has come up before your lordship. Bail pleas under FIR 91 and 92/2020 had gone to Justice Yogesh Khanna and notice was issued for August 6. Let all the matters to be heard by one judge."

In view of this, Justice Gupta while issuing notice on the plea listed the matter before Justice Khanna. The matter will now be heard along with other bail pleas on August 6.

FIR No.80/2020 was registered for the offences punishable under Sections 147/148/149/436/427/34 IPC and Sections 3/4 PDPP Act, registered at Police Station Dayalpur, Delhi.

It was the case of the prosecution that on 25.02.2020, around 100 people were standing on the terrace of the house of co-accused Tahir Hussain (main accused) and they were throwing petrol bombs on the houses of persons belonging to Hindu community.

Justice Yogesh Khanna had earlier issued notice on the bail application and had sought Delhi Police's status report to be filed before the next date of hearing, i e. on August 6.

The bail pleas are filed in connection with two FIRs registered in relation to information received by a Trauma Centre regarding gunshot injuries sustained by Ajay Kumar Jha and Prince Bansal.

The Trial Court had in May this year denied bail to Hussain in both the FIRs after observing that it is prima facie apparent that Tahir Hussain used his muscle power and political clout to act as a kingpin in planning, instigating and fanning the flames of communal conflagration.