3 weeks ago
Two brothers challenge IB staffer murder conviction over sole witness
Two brothers named Nazim and Kasim were sent to jail for the rest of their lives.
A judge decided they had hurt a man named Ankit Sharma.
Mr. Sharma worked for the Intelligence Bureau, a government agency in India that helps keep the country safe.
The sad event happened during big riots in Northeast Delhi in 2020.
The brothers say the judge made a mistake.
They say the judge believed only one person who claimed to see what happened, and that is risky.
Usually, courts hold a special identity parade where a witness tries to pick the accused out of a line of people.
No such parade was ever held in this case.
The brothers also point out that the very same testimony was used to convict five people and free five others.
So they asked the Delhi High Court to review their case, and the next hearing is on December 2.
Nazim and Kasim, brothers sentenced to life for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma, have appealed before the Delhi High Court.
The brothers challenge the trial court's reliance on the testimony of a single public witness, PW-6 Pradeep Verma.
No Test Identification Parade (TIP) was held to identify the accused under magistrate supervision.
The same testimony was reportedly used to convict five accused and acquit five others.
A bench of Justices Prathiba Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice seeking the prosecution's response; the next hearing is December 2.
- Who
- Two brothers, Nazim and Kasim, convicted of murdering Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma; the Delhi High Court bench of Justices Prathiba Singh and Vikas Mahajan is hearing their appeals.
- What
- The brothers challenged their life sentences, arguing the trial court relied solely on the testimony of one witness without a Test Identification Parade.
- Where
- Delhi High Court; the murder took place during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
- When
- Notice was issued on Wednesday; the matter will next be heard on December 2. The murder occurred during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
- Why
- The appellants argue the conviction is unsafe because it rests on a single witness's testimony (PW-6 Pradeep Verma) with no Test Identification Parade held.
Appellants (brothers Nazim and Kasim)
Trial court ruling / Prosecution
Reliance on a single witness
Appellants (brothers Nazim and Kasim)
The life sentences are unsafe because the conviction rests solely on PW-6 Pradeep Verma's testimony, with no Test Identification Parade to confirm the accused were identified.
Trial court ruling / Prosecution
The trial court accepted Pradeep Verma's testimony as credible and sufficient to convict, and the conviction stands pending the appeal.
Key facts
- Event
- 2020 Northeast Delhi riots murder case
- Victim
- Ankit Sharma, Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer
- Appellants
- Nazim and Kasim, brothers sentenced to life imprisonment
- Challenged evidence
- Sole testimony of public witness PW-6 Pradeep Verma
- Missing procedure
- Test Identification Parade (TIP)
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Hearing bench
- Justices Prathiba Singh and Vikas Mahajan
- Next hearing
- December 2
Sources
Related news
Delhi High Court admits appeals in Ankit Sharma murder case
Tahir Hussain Appeals Life Sentence in Ankit Sharma Murder
Court acquits 13 in 2020 riots case over tainted testimony
Tahir Hussain Appeals Delhi High Court Life Sentence
Supreme Court Acquits Odisha Murder Convict After 22 Years
Delhi High Court Issues Notice in Ankit Sharma Murder Case
Delhi High Court orders MCD to cover dangerous Okhla drain
Delhi High Court Acquits Man in POCSO Sexual Assault Case
Medical equipment worth crores found unused at Delhi government hospitals
