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The sentencing of Afzal, a two-time MP and six-time former MLA, paves the way for his automatic disqualification from the Lok Sabha. He represents Ghazipur in Parliament.
The Ansari brothers were booked in separate cases under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 in pursuance of investigations into the 2005 sensational murder of then BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai in which both were accused.
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Later, the kidnapping and murder of businessman Nandkishore Rungta was added to Mukhtar’s case. A total of 10 prosecution witnesses had deposed before the court in the two cases. Government counsel (Ghazipur) Neeraj Srivastava confirmed the convictions and quanta of sentences.
Afzal was present in court when the verdict was pronounced and was taken into custody. He was then taken to the district jail under heavy security. Mukhtar, already serving a term in Banda jail in another case, attended the proceedings via video link.
This was five-time MLA Mukhtar’s fourth conviction since September 2022 while Afzal has been sentenced for the first time. Both brothers were named among 13 accused in the Krishnanad Rai murder case. A Delhi CBI court, however, acquitted them in 2019 after key witnesses turned hostile. The Rai murder case is now being heard by the Delhi high court.
Family members and supporters of Krishnanand Rai welcomed the court verdict. “I believe in the judiciary. The rule of goondas and mafia has ended (in the state),” said Alka Rai, Krishnanand’s widow, after the verdict.
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