Delhi riots case: Court denies bail to former councillor Tahir Hussain, two others

Delhi court denies bail to former councillor Tahir Hussain and two others in the 2020 riots conspiracy case.

A Delhi court on Thursday (January 29, 2026) rejected the bail applications of the three Delhi riots larger conspiracy case accused — Salim Malik, Athar Khan and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing the bail applications of the accused and denied them bail.

The trio had filed their bail applications after the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the same case, contending that they are facing similar charges and seeking parity.

These three accused have been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) over their alleged involvement in the 2020 riots.

Athar, a former call centre employee, has been accused of being one of the main organisers of the protest at Chand Bagh in northeast Delhi and allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches there.

According to the Delhi Police's Special Cell, Athar allegedly participated in secret meetings, in which he said that the "time has come to burn Delhi" and coordinated the destruction of CCTV cameras. Salim was also among the 11 alleged organisers and speakers of the anti-CAA/NRC meeting.

The alleged organisers were Mohammed Saleem Khan, Salim Malik, Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Shahnawaz, Furkan, Mohammed Ayub, Mohammed Yunus, Tabassum, Mohammed Ayaz and his brother Khalid.