Krishnanand Rai Murder case: hearing posted to Jan 3

Ghazipur, UP, Dec 22 (UNI) The next hearing in the high-profile Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case would be held on January 3.

The main accused, ruling Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari appeared before special judge (SC/ST Act) Amarnath Upadhyay for the hearing today.

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. Another accused Ezaz Ul Haq also failed to appear before the Court.

The court told Mukhtar that the case has been transferred to the court of Fast Track (I) Judge Shaileshvar Nath Singh and the next hearing would take place there.

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 east UP gangster Munna Bajrangi in connection with the killing. Afzal surrendered in the court on December 8 last.

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