/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23962442/acastro_STK067__03.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24247717/lp_logo_3.0.jpg){kind=logo}
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24016885/STK093_Google_04.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24808816/Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Supra_Et_Ultra_____Starfield__The_Settled_Systems___Su)
[ad_1]
Varanasi: A special MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Monday sentenced gangster-leader Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a 32-year-old case of the murder of Congress leader Awadhesh Rai. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1,00,000 on the gangster politician. Earlier in the day, the special MP/MLA court had found Mukhtar guilty in the Awadhesh Rai murder case.
Ansari was produced before the court through video conference where the court convicted him under sections 145 and 302. The special court, which concluded the hearing after arguments on May 19, reserved its order and fixed June 5 for its delivery.
Reacting to the development, late Congress leader’s wife Ajay Rai said, “This is the end of our wait of many years. I, my parents, Awadhesh’s daughter and the entire family have been patient… Governments have come and gone.” And Mukhtar became stronger. But we didn’t give up. Due to the efforts of our lawyers, today the court has found Mukhtar guilty in the murder of my brother.
What happened in 1991?
Awadhesh Rai, brother of Congress leader Ajay Rai, was shot dead in broad daylight at the gate of his Lahurabir residence in Varanasi on 3 August 1991. A case was registered against Mukhtar Ansari and others in the matter. According to the case file, Congress leader Ajay Rai and his brother Awadhesh were standing at the gate of their house in Varanasi when some assailants, including Mukhtar Ansari, came there in a car and shot Awadhesh.
Ajay Rai retaliated by firing his licensed pistol, after which the attackers fled leaving the car. Seriously injured Awadhesh was rushed to a hospital in Kabirchaura, where doctors declared him brought dead.
After the sensational murder of his brother, Ajay Singh lodged an FIR at Chetganj police station in Varanasi and took the name of mafia Mukhtar Ansari. MLAs Abdul Kalam, Bhim Singh, Kamlesh Singh and Rakesh Srivastava alias Rakesh Justice were also named as accused in the case.
It is believed that Mukhtar Ansari, while in jail, used his influence to tamper with the evidence and make the original case diary disappear from the court. Later, the Varanasi police registered a case against Mukhtar Ansari in this regard. At present, Mukhtar Ansari and Bhim Singh are lodged in jail. While former MLAs Abdul Kalam and Kamlesh Singh have died.
On May 17, the MP/MLA court of Ghazipur acquitted Mukhtar Ansari in a case of conspiracy to attempt to murder in Mohammadabad area of Uttar Pradesh. In 2009, Mir Hasan had filed a case of attempt to murder against Ansari under 120B. A case was registered against Ansari at the Mohammadabad police station in Ghazipur under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In December last year, Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Ghazipur court. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on him. Mukhtar Ansari and Bhim Singh were convicted under the Gangster Act.
The court gave its verdict in the 1996 gangster case against MLA Mukhtar Ansari. Ansari, a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat, did not contest the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the seat was won by his son Abbas Ansari on the ticket of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party, which had allied with the Samajwadi Party.
