Delhi High Court Grants Custody Parole to AIMIM's Tahir Hussain for Elections Amidst Serious Charges

Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has granted custody parole to former AAP councillor and AIMIM candidate, Tahir Hussain, to file his nomination for the Mustafabad Assembly seat in the upcoming Delhi elections. Hussain, a prime accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, is facing charges of murder, rioting, and money laundering under the UAPA.

The court granted parole under strict conditions, including a ban on media interaction and public statements during the parole period. Hussain's family could attend the nomination process but was prohibited from sharing media content on social media.

While Hussain requested interim bail for his election campaign, the court rejected it, citing the gravity of the charges and Hussain’s role as a key conspirator in the deadly riots, which led to 53 deaths. The court emphasized that contesting elections isn't a fundamental right, reflecting a balance between Hussain's rights and the severity of the charges.

The decision was taken amid slow progress in Hussain's trial, with only 20 of 114 prosecution witnesses examined. Despite the controversy surrounding his candidacy, the court's order permits Hussain to fulfill the legal procedures necessary for running in the Delhi Assembly elections.