Kin of IB officer killed in riots gets Delhi govt job

“We can never compensate for the loss of a loved one’s life but I hope this government job and assistance of ₹1 crore brings the family strength. We will continue to stand by them and support them whenever needed,” CM Kejriwal tweeted.

Ankur Sharma, the brother of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma who was killed during the riots in northeast Delhi in February 2020, was on Thursday appointed as a junior assistant in the Delhi government’s education department. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal handed the appointment letter to Ankur and met his family as well.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal handed the appointment letter to Ankur Sharma and met his family as well. (HT Photo)

“We can never compensate for the loss of a loved one’s life but I hope this government job and assistance of ₹1 crore brings the family strength. We will continue to stand by them and support them whenever needed,” Kejriwal tweeted. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was also present during the meeting.

Last year, the Delhi government had provided the family with one-time financial assistance of ₹1 crore.

“Since my brother died, the Delhi government has supported me and my family at every step. The chief minister provided us with financial assistance. Today [Thursday], I have been offered a government job in the Delhi government. I will always remain indebted to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and everyone in the Delhi government for looking after our family,” said Ankur after the meeting.

In March 2021, the Delhi cabinet had approved the proposal to provide Ankur with a government job.

Ankit’s death during the riots had triggered a political blame game. Referring to the politics on the issue, Kejriwal tweeted Thursday: “BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] did dirty politics on the death of Ankit Sharma and then they did not bother about his family. We did not do any politics with them, we remained in constant touch with the family and helped them on all occasions.”

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said it was Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party, who were “playing politics”.

“The BJP has said that it is the constitutional duty of the state government to extend relief package to riot victims’ families without disclosing religion or caste. If they are really sensitive towards Ankit Sharma’s family then why have they still not expelled their councillor who is accused of rioting?” Kapoor said.

Kapoor was referring to suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who is accused of allegedly funding protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and orchestrating the northeast Delhi riots in February 2020. Hussain is currently in judicial custody.