Delhi HC likely to pronounce verdict on EC's plea against Mukhtar Ansari's parole

The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its decision on the Election Commission's plea for cancelling mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari's custody parole granted by a trial court for canvassing in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

Ansari, an MLA who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest from the Mau Assembly seat, was given custody parole till March 4 to enable him to campaign in the election.

The high court had on February 17 stayed its operation after the poll panel moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole, saying he may influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai, in which he is facing trial.

The Election Commission had said that it feared Ansari's release may create law and order problems during elections.

"If Ansari is allowed to campaign for the elections, he will have to be provided with eight gunners carrying AK-47 rifles. This will disturb the atmosphere of the elections," said Dayanand Krishnan, Election Commissioner.

Ansari, accused of murdering Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai in November 2005, is facing trial before the CBI court in Delhi.

Rai, MLA from Mohammadabad constituency was gunned down along with six more persons in Bhanwarkol area in Ghazipur.

After Rai's wife moved court, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Delhi from Ghazipur district.