IB staffer's murder: Tahir Hussain sent to 4-day police custody

A Delhi court on Monday sent suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor Tahir Hussain to four-day police custody in connection with the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the recent violence in northeast Delhi.

"I find force in the submissions of the investigating officer that to unearth the conspiracy of the reasons which led to the riots that resulted in massive loss of life and property, police remand is required," Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Singh Rajawat said while remanding Hussain to police custody.

The accused was arrested earlier on Monday, pursuant to which the police was allowed to interrogate him within the court.

After interrogating him for an hour, the police moved an application for his custody, which was duly granted by the court.

The police sought his custody for five days to unearth the conspiracy, and confront him with the other accused named Salman and also find other people involved in the commission of the crime.

"Everything was done on his command," the police told the court.

Tahir's counsel opposed the contentions and said that the police has already "thoroughly" interrogated him and his custody cannot be sought merely to confront him with the other accused.

The police had registered a criminal case against him on a complaint filed by the deceased IB staffer's father. As per the victim's post-mortem report, he sustained 51 injuries and died due to haemorrhage.

A man named Salman alias Haseen is also in police custody in connection with the murder.

Hussain's brother, Shah Alam, was also arrested in connection with the riots and is currently in judicial custody. Tahir is also accused for his involvement in instigating the violence. IANS