Double trouble for controversial UP MLA Mukhtar

Lucknow, July 19 (UNI) Controversial Independent MLA from Mau, Mukhtar Ansari, today found himself in the dock as police arrested six of his men under prohibitory orders and the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) demolished parts of a building owned by him.

Currently lodged in the Ghazipur jail for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, Mukhtar incidentally was in the state capital under police escort to cast his vote for the Presidential polls.

Mukhtar is considered close to the previous Mulayam Singh Yadav - led regime in Uttar Pradesh.

The showroom in the posh Hazratganj area, which was rented out to a business group of Kanpur to house an exclusive women's garment store, was partially demolished by the LDA.

According to LDA officials present at the spot, the construction of the basement and ground floor was illegal.

Though the ownership of the building was in the name of a relative of Mukhtar Ansari, it was an open secret that it belonged to the controversial mafia-turned legislator. He is the main accused in the sensational murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

Minutes after the LDA started demolishing the structure, the city police arrested six of his men from Hazratganj for defying prohibitory orders. Those arrested included a sacked CRP constable, identified as Nasimuddin. Nasimuddin was carrying a weapon, the licence for which was obtained from Jammu. ''DGP Vikram Singh had talked to Jammu and Kashmir DGP Kuldeep Khoda to verify the authenticity of the licence,'' additional DGP (Law and Order) Brij Lal told reporters here.

The others arrested included Mohd Shahid, Mohd Taufiq, Kasif and Ghazipur zila panchayat member Awadh Bihari. A total of four weapons were recovered from their possession. ''Though all weapons were licenced, we would investigate how Mohd Shahid and Mohd Taufiq obtained licences as cases are pending against them,'' said Mr Brij Lal.

UNI