BJP MLA murder case posted for Jan 18

Ghazipur, Jan 16 (UNI) A Fast Track Court here today posted the high-profile Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case for January 18 after the first five witnesses failed to appear before it.

Ruling Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari, prime accused in the case, appeared before the Judge Shailendra Singh under tight security.

Ansari's brother, Mukhtar Ansari, an Independent MLA and his brother-in-law Ejaj-ul-haq -- other two prime accused, could not appear before the court as they were indisposed.

There are 68 witnesses, including slain BJP leader's sibling Raman Rai, who have to give their testimony.

Recently, charges against Mukhtar and his brother were framed under sections 120 B, 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 407 of the IPC and section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

Except section 120 B of the IPC, all sections were applicable to Ejaj.

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 people, including Mukhtar Ansari, his brother Afzal Ansari and notorious eastern UP gangster Munna Bajrangi in connection with the killing.

Both the Ansari brothers are in jail at present.

Afzal had surrendered before the court on December 8, 2005.

Another accused Mansoor Ahmed Ansari had recently surrendered before a special CBI court.

On the petition of Rai's widow Alka, the Allahabad High Court had ordered the CBI to investigate the case.

UNI