New Delhi: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is reportedly considering Shahrukh Pathan, an accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, as a candidate for upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. However, according to a PTI report, the decision has not yet been finalised, as confirmed by an AIMIM leader.
Shahrukh Pathan is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail after being arrested for his alleged involvement in the riots. He gained notoriety when an image of him pointing a gun at a police officer during the violence went viral on social media. Pathan has been in custody since his arrest.
Earlier, AIMIM announced the candidacy of former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain for the Mustafabad constituency. Hussain, who joined Owaisi’s party, is also an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots.
On Wednesday, Shoaib Jamei, AIMIM’s Delhi unit president, confirmed to PTI that Pathan’s name is under consideration but clarified that no official decision has been made.
Recently, Jamei visited Pathan’s family and shared photographs from the visit on social media. He also stated that AIMIM is planning to contest 12 seats in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, though final decisions regarding candidates are still pending.
