CBI probe ordered in BJP MLA murder case

Allahabad, May 23 (UNI) The Allahabad High Court today ordered a CBI probe in the murder case of Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator Krishnanand Rai.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justices Amitabh Lala and Shivshankar on a petition filed by Rai's widow Alka and others.

The bench observed even if the chargesheet in the case and final report had been submitted in the court, the probe should be handed over to the CBI.

Rai, an MLA from Mohammadabad assembly constituency in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, and seven of his 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.

Ruling Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari, his younger brother and don-turned-Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari and their brother-in-law Ejaj are prime accused in Rai assassination case.

A notorious east UP gangster Munna Bajrangi is also among the 10 accused named in the case.

Afzal had surrendered in the court on December 8 last. The Ansari brothers are presently lodged in Ghazipur district prison.

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