SC conditionally suspends ex-BSP MP Afzal Ansari's 2007 Gangsters Act case conviction

The Supreme Court has conditionally suspended the conviction of former BSP MP Afzal Ansari in a 2007 Gangsters Act case. He's restricted from voting in Lok Sabha or receiving perks but can attend sessions. The court directed the Allahabad High Court to resolve Ansari's appeal by June 30, 2024, dissenting from the majority opinion.

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The recent Supreme Court ruling has drawn attention to the conditional suspension of Afzal Ansari's conviction, a former BSP MP involved in a contentious 2007 Gangsters Act case. This decision outlines his limited parliamentary privileges—no voting rights or entitlement to benefits—while allowing participation in House proceedings.

Addressing the complexity of the case, the Apex Court has mandated the Allahabad High Court to expedite the resolution of Ansari's criminal appeal against the conviction and sentence. This directive aims to conclude the legal proceedings by June 30, 2024. Notably, Justice Datta expressed dissent with the majority stance, resulting in the dismissal of Ansari's appeal.

Previously, on October 31, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on Ansari's plea, seeking the suspension of his conviction related to the Gangsters Act case. In contrast, the Allahabad High Court had earlier refused to suspend the conviction but granted Ansari bail in the same case on July 24.

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The legal battle revolves around Ansari's appeal against a special court's judgment that sentenced him to a four-year jail term and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. The court in Ghazipur convicted both Ansari brothers—Afzal and Mukhtar, an ex-MLA—under the 2007 Gangsters Act. While Afzal received a four-year sentence, Mukhtar faced a 10-year imprisonment term.

The case stems from their alleged involvement in the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanad Rai in 2005 and the kidnapping and murder of Varanasi-based trader Nand Kishore Rungta in 1997, leading to their implication under the UP Gangsters Act.

This legal saga highlights the intricacies of the judiciary's deliberation on high-profile cases and their implications on political figures involved in criminal allegations.