Convict Ariz Khan gets death penalty in Batla House encounter

A Delhi court on Monday awarded death penalty to Ariz Khan for killing Delhi police inspector Mohan Chand Sharma in the 2008 Batla House encounter, describing the case as "rarest of rare case". The court also slapped a fine of Rs 11 lakh against Khan and directed that out of the penalty amount Rs 10 lakh should be given to the family of Sharma as compensation. It also recommended additional compensation from the government to the family of the deceased police officer. Khan, allegedly associated with the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, was last week held guilty for Sharma's murder and other offences during the encounter. Earlier today, the Delhi Police sought before the court death sentence for Khan, saying an exemplary punishment in the case is required.

Senior Public Prosecutor AT Ansari, representing the Delhi Police, told the court that it was a gruesome murder of law enforcement officer and defender of justice while discharging his duty and therefore serious exercise is required to be undertaken in this case for determining the quantum of sentence. Last week, Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav while hearing the case had said the evidence produced by the prosecution duly proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge said that it was "duly proved that Ariz Khan and his associates caused murder of police official and fired gunshot on the police official." Inspector Sharma of the Special Cell of Delhi was killed during the encounter which took place in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi in September 2008.Following his murder, Khan managed to flee the spot and was declared proclaimed offender. He was arrested by the Delhi Police's Special Cell on February 14, 2018 and later faced the trial.