A special MP-MLA court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a murder case that dates back over three decades. The case involves the killing of Congress leader Awadhesh Rai, who was shot dead outside his brother Ajay Rai’s house in Varanasi on August 3, 1991. Ansari was convicted under Sections 145 and 302m of the Indian Penal Code. The verdict was delivered through a video conference. Advocate Vikash Singh confirmed the court’s decision, while Ajay Rai expressed his faith in the judicial system and hoped for the maximum possible punishment for Ansari.
Background:
The murder case of Awadhesh Rai has been a long-standing investigation, with multiple individuals named as suspects in the FIR. Alongside Mukhtar Ansari, Ajay Rai had also named Bhim Singh and former MLA Abdul Kalim as defendants. Ansari, a prominent gangster in Uttar Pradesh, had allegedly attempted to tamper with the evidence several times. The Special Court, after hearing arguments on May 19, reserved its order and scheduled June 5 as the date for delivering the verdict.
Court’s Judgment:
On June 5, the special MP-MLA court in Varanasi pronounced the verdict in the murder case. Mukhtar Ansari, who was incarcerated at the time, appeared before the court through a video conference. The court found Ansari guilty under Sections 145 (committing a crime with an intention to cause harm) and 302m (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Considering the seriousness of the offense and the duration of the investigation, the court sentenced Ansari to life imprisonment.
Reactions:
Ajay Rai, the brother of the deceased Congress leader, expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision. He stated his unwavering faith in the judicial system and hoped that Ansari would receive the maximum possible punishment. Rai also accused Ansari, who had a criminal background, of attempting to tamper with the evidence on multiple occasions. The verdict brings some closure to Rai’s family after enduring more than three decades of legal proceedings.
Previous Acquittal and Other Cases:
Interestingly, on May 17, just before the verdict in the Awadhesh Rai murder case, a Ghazipur MP-MLA court had acquitted Mukhtar Ansari in a separate case. This case involved a conspiracy to commit murder in the Mohammadabad area of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district. Mir Hasan had filed a case against Ansari in 2009, accusing him of attempt to murder under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code. A case under section 307 of the IPC was registered against Ansari at the Mohammadabad police station in Ghazipur. However, the court found Ansari not guilty in this particular case, highlighting the complexities and diverse outcomes of legal proceedings.
Conclusion:
The sentencing of Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in the three-decade-old murder case of Awadhesh Rai brings a significant development in the long-pending legal battle. Ansari, a notorious gangster who later ventured into politics, has been found guilty under Sections 145 and 302m of the Indian Penal Code. While the court’s judgment brings some solace to the family of the deceased, it is important to note that Ansari was acquitted in another case just days before the verdict in the murder case. This serves as a reminder of the intricacies of the legal system and the varying outcomes of different cases.
