The Allahabad High Court has stayed the trial of Mukhtar Ansari and Brijesh Singh in the Ghazipur court regarding the Usri Chatti incident. Justice DK Singh has given this order while hearing the petition of accused Tribhuvan Singh in this famous case. The court has sought response from Mukhtar Ansari and the state government on the petition within four weeks. Also, the trial of the case has been stayed till then.
Tribhuvan Singh has filed a petition demanding that the trial of the case be conducted in some other district instead of Ghazipur. It has been said in the petition that the entire family of Mukhtar Ansari is very influential. His brother is an MP from Ghazipur. His son and nephew are MLAs. In such a situation, the trial of the case cannot be done in a fair manner because the witnesses and other people can be influenced due to political influence.
Significantly, in the famous Usri Chatti case, Mukhtar Ansari is the plaintiff while Brijesh Singh and Tribhuvan Singh are the accused. On 15 July 2001, Mukhtar Ansari’s convoy was attacked at Usri Chatti. The charge of attack is on Brijesh Singh and Tribhuvan Singh.
Hearing was to be held again on January 23 in Ghazipur
Former MLA Mukhtar Ansari did not appear in the MPMLA court even last Tuesday to testify in the 22-year-old Usri Chattikand in Ghazipur. In the hearing held during this, Afroz alias Chunnu, an important witness in the case, testified against former MLC Brijesh Singh and Tribhuvan Singh. The MPMLA court had summoned Mukhtar Ansari again on January 23.
Describing the testimony of Mukhtar Ansari as important, the special judge had ordered to present it in the MPMLA court under tight security. In this connection, the court had sent a letter to the state’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Chief Secretary Home and Director General of Police Lucknow, Additional Director General of Police Varanasi, DM and SP.
What is Usri Chattikand
Mukhtar Ansari, the then MLA of Mau, was going to his constituency on 15 July 2001 at 12.30 pm along with his colleagues. Mukhtar and his team were attacked with automatic weapons by ambushers near Usri Chatti in Muhammadabad area.
While saving Mukhtar, his government gunner Ramchander alias Pradeep was shot dead. While Mukhtar’s partner Rustam alias Babu died during treatment. One of the assailants who attacked Mukhtar Ansari was also killed, while several were injured. Many including Brijesh Singh and Tribhuvan were made accused in this case.
Mukhtar’s lawyer told about the danger of his life
Mukhtar Ansari’s lawyer Liaquat Ali has demanded tight security during the hearing. Referring to providing health facilities to Mukhtar, he said that he is suffering from many serious diseases including BP, heart disease. The lawyer said that there is a danger to life in bringing and taking Mukhtar inside and outside the jail. Strict security arrangements were demanded from the administration and the judge during the hearing.
Mukhtar’s muscle has been postponed six times so far
The physical examination of Mukhtar Ansari, the main witness and plaintiff in the Usri Chatti case, is not being held continuously. Amidst the proceedings of the case so far, the MPMLA court summoned Mukhtar Ansari six times, but every time the appearance was postponed. For three consecutive dates, showing strictness, the court asked for physical appearance and also sent a letter to the government. Mukhtar could not be brought to Ghazipur citing law and order and security reasons. Earlier, the judge had physically summoned the plaintiff Mukhtar Ansari on December 20 itself. Then it was told that ED Prayagraj unit is interrogating Mukhtar by taking him in transit remand. After this, Mukhtar could not come to Ghazipur even on January 3, January 10, January 17.