High Court Reverses Conviction of SP MP Afzal Ansari

The Allahabad High Court has overturned a Ghazipur court's order sentencing Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari to four years' imprisonment under the Gangsters Act. This ruling allows Ansari to continue as an MP, dismisses the UP government's plea for a harsher sentence, and reaffirms his acquittal in a 2005 murder-linked case.

The Allahabad High Court on Monday overturned a Ghazipur court order that sentenced Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari to four years in prison under the Gangsters Act, linked to the 2005 murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

Justice S K Singh permitted Ansari's appeal against the conviction, allowing him to retain his seat in Parliament. The court also dismissed requests by the UP government and Piyush Kumar Rai, the son of the murdered MLA, to increase Ansari's sentence.

Ansari's prior acquittal in the 'base case' of 2005, in which he was accused of conspiracy, was a key factor in the High Court's decision. The court noted a lack of sufficient evidence and criticized the trial judge for being influenced by incomplete testimonies. After being disqualified following the Ghazipur court's ruling, Ansari appealed to the High Court, which granted him bail but did not stay his conviction. The Supreme Court later stayed his conviction, reinstating his parliamentary membership and eligibility for the 2024 elections.