Witness records testimony in BJP MLA murder case

Ghazipur, Feb 13 (UNI) The testimony of a witness in the BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case was recorded here today.

The testimony of Vijendra Nath Pandey was recorded before the fast track court (I) judge Shailendra Nath Singh.

Later, the court fixed February 22 for next hearing.

Three prime accused in the case, don-turned-Independent MLA from Mau Mukhtar Ansari, his elder brother and ruling Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari and their brother-in-law Ejaz failed to appear for the hearing.

The proceeding to record testimony of witnesses started on January 31.

Presently, the trio are lodged in the Ghazipur district jail.

Rai, an MLA from Mohammadabad assembly 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.

UNI