On Monday, a Varanasi court sentenced gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari to life in jail for the murder of Congress leader Awadhesh Rai over 30 years ago.
Mukhtar Ansari, a gangster-politician, was sentenced to life in jail on Monday in Varanasi for the murder of Awadhesh Rai, the brother of a Congress official, more than 30 years ago.
On August 3, 1991, Awadhesh Rai, the brother of Congress politician Ajay Rai, was shot dead at the entrance of his Lahurabir bungalow in Varanasi. Ansari and others were charged with a crime.
Ajay Rai is presently the regional leader of the Uttar Pradesh section of his party.
Ansari was sentenced to life in prison by MP-MLA court special judge Avanish Gautam in the case, according to a lawyer outside the Varanasi court.
Ansari, who is facing various criminal charges, was convicted in April in a Gangster Act case. On Monday, he appeared in court via video conference from Banda prison.
“This is the end of our 32-year struggle against a notorious criminal,” Ajay Rai said of the verdict. I, my parents, Awadhesh’s daughter, and the whole family were patient… Governments came and went, and Mukhtar became stronger.
“However, we did not give up. “Today, the court found Mukhtar guilty in my brother’s murder case, thanks to the efforts of our lawyers,” Rai continued.
He said that individuals who battle criminals would get justice.
“We were threatened. I have been advocating for increased security. “If anything happens to me, the BJP government will be held accountable,” Rai said.
Ansari’s attorney had requested the court to consider the convict’s age while passing sentence. After reviewing the judgement, the lawyer said that they will file an appeal at a higher court.
When asked to respond on Ansari’s lawyer’s statements, Rai said, “We will fight all the way to the Supreme Court.” We have battled for 32 years and will continue to fight.”
On 3 August 1991, Ajay Rai and his brother were waiting at the entrance of their Varanasi home when gunmen in a vehicle, including Ansari, arrived and shot Awadhesh.
In reaction, Ajay Rai shot his licenced handgun, and the intruders fled, leaving the vehicle behind, they said. Awadhesh was transported to a hospital in Kabirchaura, where he was pronounced dead by medics.
Ansari, a five-term MLA from the Mau Sadar constituency, did not run in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, and his seat was won by his son Abbas Ansari on a ticket from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, which formed a coalition with the Samajwadi Party.
On April 29, a Ghazipur court sentenced Ansari to ten years in prison and his brother, BSP MP Afzal Ansari, to four years in prison in connection with the murder of then-BJP MLA Krishnanad Rai in 2007. (PTI)
