Allahabad High Court Overturns Death Sentence, Acquits Last Convict in NIA Officer Murder Case
In a significant legal development, the Allahabad High Court has acquitted the final convict in the high-profile 2016 murder case of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer Tanzeel Ahmed and his wife Farzana. The verdict, delivered by Justice Siddharth on Monday, set aside the trial court's ruling that had previously sentenced the accused to death, ordering the immediate release of Rayyan.
Court Observes Death Sentence Not Sustainable in Law
Justice Siddharth, in the judgment, explicitly stated that the death penalty could not be sustained under legal provisions, leading to the acquittal. This decision marks a dramatic turn in a case that had initially been deemed "rarest of rare" by a sessions court in 2022, which had awarded the death penalty to both Munir and his aide Rayyan for the brutal crime.
Reacting to the high court's verdict, Tanzeel Ahmed's cousin, Haseeb Ahmed, expressed the family's unwavering faith in the judiciary. He announced their intention to challenge the acquittal in the Supreme Court, emphasizing their hope that justice would ultimately prevail. "We have full confidence in the legal system and will pursue all avenues to ensure accountability," Haseeb Ahmed stated.
Background of the 2016 Murder Incident
The tragic events unfolded on the night of April 2–3, 2016, when Tanzeel Ahmed, who was actively investigating terror cases linked to the Indian Mujahideen, was returning to Delhi with his family after attending a wedding in Bijnor's Sahaspur. Two bike-borne attackers intercepted his car and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of Tanzeel Ahmed and his wife Farzana, who later succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS New Delhi. The couple's two children were also present in the vehicle during the attack but survived.
Legal Proceedings and Previous Convictions
In 2022, a sessions court had convicted Munir and Rayyan, sentencing them to death for the murders. However, Munir died in November 2022 while in custody due to a kidney infection. He allegedly had 33 criminal cases registered against him across several districts, including Bijnor and Aligarh, highlighting his extensive criminal background.
Earlier, a special court had also convicted the accused under the Gangster Act, with Munir and Rayyan receiving prison terms in that separate case. Three other individuals were acquitted in the gangster proceedings, adding layers of complexity to the overall legal narrative.
The Allahabad High Court's acquittal of Rayyan now leaves no living convicts in the case, raising questions about the future course of justice as the family prepares for an appeal to the Supreme Court.
