UP Gangster Mukhtar Ansari Convicted In 1991 Murder Case, Sentenced To Life In Prison

Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has been convicted in the Awadhesh Rai murder case, which dates back to 1991. He is sentenced to life in prison.

Awadhesh Rai, a Congress leader and brother of former MLA Ajay Rai, was shot dead outside Ajay Rai's house in Varanasi.

In the FIR, Ajay Rai had named three people, including Ansari, Bhim Singh, and former MLA Abdul Kalim.

Although he did not contest in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly election, his seat was won by his son Abbas Ansari from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party.

Ajay Rai expressed relief at the news, stating that his family had waited for years for this outcome, never giving up. He noted the challenges his family had faced over the years as Ansari's power grew.

In May, Ansari was cleared in a 2009 murder attempt case. He had been imprisoned for years due to being charged in multiple cases.