2020 Delhi riots: Court frames charges against ex-AAP leader Tahir Hussain

NEW DELHI:  A Delhi court on Wednesday paved the way for the commencement of trial by framing charges against former AAP leader Tahir Hussain in a money laundering case linked to riots that broke out in the capital in 2020. On November 3, the court passed an order on framing charges against Hussain in a money-laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

“Accordingly, a charge for the offence under section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, punishable under section 4 of the PMLA, is framed against accused Tahir Hussain, read over and explained to him to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial,” Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court in the city said.

Section 3 of the PMLA defines the offence of money laundering. The court posted the matter for further proceedings on February 10. It had earlier said there was “prima facie sufficient material on record, creating grave suspicion against Hussain” for framing charges. The court had said Hussain fraudulently withdrew money from the accounts of certain companies owned or controlled by him through bogus and malafide transactions.

Bogus entry operators used fake bills and made him the beneficiary, with the intent of using the money for putting it to use towards the riots, the court had said The Delhi Police had registered three FIRs in connection with the northeast Delhi riots against Hussain and others under various sections of the India Penal Code.