New Delhi: Indian Mujahideen terrorist Ariz Khan, convicted in the killing of a police officer in the 2008 Batla House encounter in Delhi, was sentenced to death on Monday. The encounter between the Delhi police and a bunch of terrorists holed up in the South Delhi neighbourhood had led to the death of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma while two others sustained injuries.
A native of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Khan was arrested by the Delhi police’s Special Cell in February 2018 after fleeing the spot in 2008. He was convicted in the case last week. Khan is also the alleged mastermind of the 2008 serial blasts across Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
The police sought the death penalty for Khan saying it was not just any killing but a murder of a law enforcement officer who was a defender of justice. Additional Public Prosecutor AT Ansari, appearing for the police, said the case attracts exemplary punishment, which is capital punishment.
Advocate MS Khan, appearing for Ariz Khan, 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 the murder of police official and fired gunshot on the police official”.
Calling it one of the “rarest of the rare cases” that merit the death penalty, Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav on Monday also imposed a total fine of ₹ 11 lakh against Khan. The court said ₹ 10 lakh should be immediately released to the family members of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma.
