Ghazipur: Controversial independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, charged with instigating communal violence in Mau, surrendered before a fast track court here on Tuesday, following pressure mounted by Uttar Pradesh police.

Ansari, alongwith several of his supporters, went to the fast track court this morning and surrendered before the Additional Sessions Judge (I).

He, however, did not surrender in the case pertaining to instigation of violence in Mau, but instead in a criminal case dating back to Februray 27, 1996. Mukhtar was out on bail in that case under the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Law Act.

The Mau police had lodged FIR against Mukhtar and BJP MLC Ramji Singh under various sections of the IPC for instigating riots, which started on October 14 and left at least seven people dead.

The case in which Ansari has surrendered pertained to firing on an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) during routine check at the Lanka Bus Stand in Ghazipur city on Februrary 27, 1996.

The fast track court sent Mukhtar into judicial custody in the district jail and directed the Superintendent of Police (Ghazipur) to bring the MLA in the court on November 8, the next date of hearing.

The Opposition had blamed the State police of going slow on the arrest of Ansari as he was supporting the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government.

"It is not so easy to arrest Mukhtar" was the only comment State Director General of Police (DGP) Yashpal Singh made when his attention was recently drawn towards the MLA interacting freely with media at his residence in the state capital.

Meanwhile, ruling Samajwadi Party MP from Ghazipur, Afzal Ansari, who is also the elder brother of controversial independent MLA, Mukhtar Ansari, has alleged his brother was being framed at the behest of Raj Bhawan.

"Raj Bhawan is forcing the government to take action against Mukhtar who had done nothing wrong in Mau district," he told mediapersons here.

Admitting the police had raided his house in search of Ansari, Afzal said his brother had only tried to restore communal peace in Mau. But now he was being framed by his political opponents.

The MP also showed the media a CD exhibiting how Mukhtar on the particular day of communal violence urged people to maintain harmony.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Home) Alok Sinha said in the State Capital on Tuesday that Superintendent of Police (Mau) will shortly seek Ansari's police remand from the Ghazipur court.

The remand was essential for interrogating the independent MLA in connection with the recent communal flare up in Mau, Mr Sinha added. -- UNI

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