Krishnanand Rai Murder case: hearing posted to Dec 8

Ghazipur, UP, Dec 1 (UNI) The next hearing in the high-profile Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case would be held on December 8.

Two main accused, ruling Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari and his brother Ejaj Ansari appeared before special judge (SC/ST Act) Amarnath Upadhyay for the hearing.

The third accused, don-turned-Independent MLA from Mau assembly constituency and Afzal's younger brother Mukhtar Ansari lodged in the district jail could not appear, since he was indisposed.

The court had to give its disposal on an application of the Central Bureau Of Investigations (CBI) demading transfer of the case to a CBI court but due to the death of a judge, the hearing was adjourned.

Rai, an MLA from Mohammadabad constituency in Ghazipur district, and his seven supporters were shot dead in broad daylight here on November 29, 2005.

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, Afzal and notorious gangster Munna Bajrangi in connection with the killing. Afzal surrendered in the court on December 8 last year.

UNI XC-ATI MSJ KN1531