Delhi minister Parvesh Verma on Monday said "justice has finally caught up" after former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was convicted for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The verdict triggered a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While the BJP demanded an apology from former CM Arvind Kejriwal over Hussain's past association with the party, the AAP maintained that it had cut all ties with him soon after he was booked in the case.

"Justice has finally caught up. The conviction of former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain for the brutal murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma is a powerful reminder that truth cannot be buried forever. Ankit Sharma was a brave son of India who laid down his life in service to the nation," Verma said.

Taking a swipe at Kejriwal, he added, "Those who once spoke of 'clean politics' owe Delhi an explanation. Arvind Kejriwal cannot simply look the other way. Political certificates are easy to issue; accountability is much harder. Delhi will remember who empowered such people."

Joining the attack, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra termed the conviction a vindication of BJP's stance and demanded a public apology from Kejriwal. "Tahir Hussain's conviction for the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma vindicates the BJP's stand. Arvind Kejriwal must apologise to the people of Delhi for patronising Tahir Hussain," Malhotra said. He further alleged that the AAP had maintained links with several individuals accused in connection with the 2020 riots, including Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid, and accused the party of repeatedly shielding such figures.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the verdict had exposed the AAP's conduct during the riots. "Today, the truth has come to light. Tahir Hussain has been convicted of the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma," he said. Referring to Tahir Hussain's earlier claim that AAP leader Sanjay Singh had spoken to him after the riots, Bhandari alleged that the party had stood by Hussain instead of Sharma's family. "The nation demands an apology from Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party," he said, accusing the party of pursuing "vote-bank politics".

BJP leader Kapil Mishra described the verdict as "a victory for the truth" and reiterated his allegation that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned conspiracy. He alleged that Sharma was dragged into a house by Hussain's associates, killed and his body dumped in a drain, while also claiming that AAP leaders remained in contact with Hussain during the violence.