One of the viral images of Shahrukh (in red shirt) pointing his pistol during the Delhi riots in Jaffrabad | File image
Shortly after news emerged that AIMIM was considering fielding incarcerated 2020 Northeast Delhi riots accused Shahrukh Pathan as its candidate in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, party’s state president Shoaib Jamai issued a clarification on social media, stating, “There is no truth about giving ticket to Shahrukh Pathan for upcoming Delhi election.”
Calling media reports “speculation and nothing else,” Jamai said that he personally met Pathan’s mother as a gesture of goodwill as their party “stands for justice to all victims of media narrative.”
Jamai’s clarification came after a PTI report suggested that the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM was considering giving a ticket to Shahrukh Pathan for upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. However, the report claimed that the party hasn’t reached any decision yet.
Notably, AIMIM recently announced that it will field Tahir Hussain, another 2020 riots accused, from the Mustafabad constituency. Tahir, who recently joined AIMIM, has been a councillor on AAP’s ticket.
According to reports, AIMIM wants to field its candidates in at least a dozen constituencies in Delhi. Names of the candidates are being discussed before formal announcement.
Jamai on Monday visited Shahrukh’s residence and met with his family members. After the meeting, he shared a picture taken at Shahrukh’s home on social media and said, “Shahrukh Pathan, who has been in jail for a few months, I visited his home and met his mother. A delegation from Delhi Majlis (AIMIM) also met his family to discuss their situation and provide legal assistance.”
“This small step in our campaign for justice in Delhi will inspire many families whose children have been imprisoned for years without trial. According to the Supreme Court, bail is the right of prisoners whose cases are pending,” he added.
Hitting out at former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said, “His (Shahrukh Pathan’s) mother claims that the case against her son was filed at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal, and she will never forget this.”
