SC seeks police reply to Hussain plea demanding interim bail for campaigning during Delhi polls

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Delhi Police to explain as to why interim bail should not be granted to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain to campaign for upcoming Delhi assembly polls.

SC further asked as to why Hussain has been denied bail in a single case related to Delhi riots when he has been granted bail in nine other similar cases against him in relation to the riots.

Hussain initially sought interim bail from the Delhi High Court in a murder case registered in relation to the death of IB staffer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Delhi Riots. But the same was declined. However, he was granted custody parole enabling him to file his nomination for Delhi elections. Seeking interim bail, Hussain then approached the Supreme Court.


A bench comprising justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah verbally asked the counsel for Delhi Police "in all other nine cases where he faces the same allegations he has been granted bail and then why not in this one".

The bench was prima facie not convinced that interim bail could be granted to contest polls. The bench questioned the counsel for Hussain why he (Hussain) was seeking interim bail instead of addressing the court on merits for permanent bail. The matter will come up for resumed hearing on Wednesday.