Afzal gets permission to attend Vice Presidential poll

Ghazipur, Aug 8 (UNI) Jailed controversial Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari, accused in BJP MLA Krishnanad Rai's assassination, has got permission to attend August 10 Vice Presidential election and Parliament session in New Delhi.

Ansari had already got consent of the Fast Track Judge Shaileshwar Nath Singh.

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

Controversial Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, his brother Ansari and their brother in-law Ejaj-ul-haq are prime accused in the case and presently lodged in Ghazipur district jail.

Through district Jail Superintendent, the MP had presented an application before the Fast Track Court to seek its nod for attending the Vice Presidential poll and parliament session.

The court had observed that Afzal might visit national capital, if the district magistrate Ritu Maheshwari had no objection.

The Jail SP today informed the court that Ansari has got permission from Ms Maheshwari and during his visit, the MP would stay in Tihar jail.

UNI