Tahir Hussain Granted Custody Parole by Delhi High Court for Election Nomination

The Delhi High Court has granted custody parole to former AAP councilor Tahir Hussain for filing his nomination as a candidate from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) for the Delhi Assembly elections. Hussain, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, has been in judicial custody since March 16, 2020.

The court rejected Hussain’s request for interim bail for campaigning but allowed parole under strict conditions to ensure transparency and fairness.

Strict Conditions for Parole

The court outlined the following conditions for Hussain’s parole:

No access to phones, including mobile, landline, or internet.
No interaction with anyone except officials involved in the nomination process.
No media addresses during the parole period.
Family members may accompany him but are prohibited from taking or sharing photos on social media.
The court also directed authorities to facilitate the nomination process while ensuring security.

Arguments and Court’s Observations

Hussain, represented by senior advocate Rebecca John, argued that physical presence was essential for filing the nomination and participating in the election process. However, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, opposing the plea, highlighted the seriousness of the charges against Hussain and the potential risk of witness tampering.

The court emphasized that each case must be assessed individually. It noted that the accusations against Hussain, including his alleged involvement in the riots that led to 59 deaths, were significant and could not be ignored.

The court distinguished this case from others, like those involving Arvind Kejriwal and Engineer Rashid, where interim bail was granted under different circumstances.

Next Steps

Hussain’s regular bail plea is scheduled for hearing on February 20. Until then, his parole is limited to the nomination process, ensuring no interference with ongoing trials.