Key points:
• A trial court had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed in July 2013 to life imprisonment in connection with the case.His appeal against the verdict has been pending in the high court.
• Ariz Khan had fled from the spot and was proclaimed offender.He was arrested on February 14, 2018, and faced the trial.
A Delhi court on Monday sentenced alleged Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist Ariz Khan to death in connection with the 2008 Batla House encounter case. Khan was convicted by a city court on March 8 for killing inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of the Delhi Police special cell, who led the operation on September 19, 2008.
Besides handing Khan the death penalty, the court also imposed a fine of ₹11 lakh on him, directing that of the said amount, ₹10 lakh be immediately released and given to deceased inspector Sharma’s family.
“I feel the fine of Rs 10 lakh is insufficient. Hence, I am referring the matter to Delhi Legal Services Authority for award of additional compensation,” the judge said.
Additional Public Prosecutor A T Ansari, who sought death penalty for Ariz, noted that it was not just any killing but a murder of a law enforcement officer who was a defender of justice adding the case attracts exemplary punishment, which is capital punishment.
“Ariz along with others was carrying deadly weapons which clearly suggests that they were ready to kill anybody in any eventuality. They were the first to start fire without any provocation,” Ansari said.
Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Ariz, opposed the death penalty and said the incident was not premeditated.
The court had said on March 8 that it was “duly proved that Ariz Khan and his associates caused murder of police official and fired gunshot on the police official”.
A trial court had sentenced Indian Mujahideen terrorist Shahzad Ahmed in July 2013 to life imprisonment in connection with the case.
His appeal against the verdict has been pending in the high court.
Ariz Khan had fled from the spot and was proclaimed offender.
He was arrested on February 14, 2018, and faced the trial.
