File photo of suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain | Photo Credit: ANI

New Delhi: The Delhi Crime Branch on Friday revealed that suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was hiding in Zakir Nagar area, which comes under Okhla Constituency of Amanatulla Khan.

Hussain was arrested on Thursday for his alleged involvement in the murder of IB official, Ankit Sharma, during the riots in North-East Delhi.

The Crime Branch sources said Hussain went into hiding in the Zakir Nagar area for two days after he left the riot-hit Mustafabad area on February 27. During his stay in Zakir Nagar, the suspended AAP councillor was using his alternative cell number, the sources added.

The sources further said that the police had conducted raids at several locations including Zakir Nagar and Tajpur area in Amroha, but Hussain managed to slip away from their hands.

According to the sources, around half a dozen suspects who were seen committing acts of arson in connivance with him have been identified, which also includes his stepbrother Shah Alam. Mobile phones belonging to Hussain have not been recovered so far.

Suspended AAP councillor, who was absconding after being named in the murder of IB staffer, was arrested on Thursday after Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vishal Pahuja dismissed his plea seeking to surrender before the court. On the same day, Delhi's Karkardooma Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea observing that no one appeared from his side.

Booked in IB staffer's murder case

Hussain has been booked in the murder case of the IB officer Ankit Sharma who was found dead in a drain near his home in North-East Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area.

He was suspended from the AAP for alleged involvement in the violence after an FIR was registered against Hussain. Sharma's family members have accused Hussain of being the key-conspirator in Sharma's death.

However, a video shared by AAP national social head showed Hussain claiming that he was not present in his house for two days.

Hours after his arrest, Hussain told the interrogators that he did not know who killed Sharma.

At least 53 people, including a cop, have been killed and more than 250 injured in the communal riots that broke out in northeast Delhi. The violence continued for four days when frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel.