BJP MLA murder case posted for May 27

Ghazipur, May 18 (UNI) A local court here today fixed May in 27 as the next date of hearing in the assassination case of Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

Chief judicial magistrate Pramod Kumar also extended the judicial custody of three prime accused in the case -- Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari, his brother and don-turned-Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari and brother-in-law Ejaz -- by 10 days.

Meanwhile, the trio could not be produced before the court today.

Ghazipur jail superintendent had informed the court that while Mukhtar was lodged in Lucknow prison, Afzal was in New Delhi to attend the ongoing Parliament session.

Similarly, the court was also informed of the indisposition of Ejaz.

The three accused would also be given the copy of chargesheet on May 27.

Rai, MLA from Mohammadabad assembly constituency in Ghazipur district, and his seven supporters were shot dead in broad daylight in Ghazipur on November 29 last year.

They were ambushed near the Ballia-Ghazipur border by several motorcycle-borne miscreants armed with sophisticated weapons.

Later, an FIR was lodged against 10 persons including Mukhtar Ansari, Afzal Ansari and notorious east UP gangster Munna Bajrangi.

Afzal surrendered in the court on December 8 last. Both the Ansari brothers and their relative Ejaz are lodged in Ghazipur jail.

UNI XC/VS VD RK2008