Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, brother Afzal Ansari convicted in 2007 Gangsters Act case

The verdict could lead to Afzal losing his Lok Sabha membership

Gangster turned politician Mukhtar Ansari and his brother and BSP Lok Sabha member Afzal Ansari were on Saturday convicted under Gangsters Act by a court in Ghazipur district, about 300 kilometres from here.

The cases against the duo included among others the killing of the then BJP MLA Krishnand Rai in 2007.

While Mukhtar, a five term ex-MLA, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment his brother Afzal was sentenced to four year's imprisonment by the court. The court also slapped a fine of Rs five lakh and Rs one lakh respectively on Mukhtar and Afzal. Afzal Ansari, who was an LS member from Ghazipur was likely to lose his membership after the conviction.

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Afzal was present in the court when the sentences were pronounced. Mukhtar, who was presently lodged in Banda district jail, was produced before the court via video conferencing. Afzal was taken into custody immediately after the verdict was pronounced and was sent to jail in judicial custody.

The MP/MLA Court had reserved its verdict in the cases against the duo on April 15.

The charges against the duo included the killing of Rai and a Varanasi based businessman and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Nand Kishore Rungta in 1997. Rungta, a coal merchant, had been kidnapped from his residence and a ransom of Rs five crore was allegedly demanded. It was alleged that his family had paid a ransom of Rs. 1.5 crore but Rungta was later killed.

BJP leaders hailed the verdict and said that the state government managed to put up a strong case against the Ansari brothers which ultimately resulted in their conviction. ''It shows the government's determination to root out mafia elements from the state,'' said UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.