In a significant turn of events, the Samajwadi Party may revoke the ticket of Afzal Ansari, considering fielding another candidate from the Ansari family in the electoral arena.
Due to time constraints, the Allahabad High Court couldn’t conduct a hearing on Afzal Ansari’s plea against the 4-year sentence received in a gangster case. Justice Sanjay Singh has postponed the matter for 2 May.
Afzal Ansari’s lawyers had been urging for an expedited hearing, which Justice Sanjay Singh declined.
Notably, the hearing for both Afzal Ansari and former BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai’s relatives will occur simultaneously in the Allahabad High Court.
Afzal Ansari is serving a four-year sentence in a gangster case after being sentenced last year. His appeal against the sentence’s cancellation prompted him to file for bail.
Meanwhile, Krishnanand Rai’s family has appealed to increase Ansari’s sentence.
Justice Sanjay Singh’s single bench will oversee the hearings of both petitions together.
The Supreme Court had previously stayed Afzal Ansari’s 4-year sentence, leading to the reinstatement of his parliamentary membership.
The Samajwadi Party had nominated Afzal Ansari as its candidate from Ghazipur for the Lok Sabha elections.
According to the Supreme Court’s decision, the High Court must resolve the matter by 30 June.
The elections in Ghazipur are scheduled for 7 phases, on 1 June. However, notifications will be issued on 7 May. Nomination submissions for the Ghazipur Lok Sabha seat will be accepted until 14 May. Scrutiny period ending on 15 May.
This implies that if the High Court hearing is not expedited, Afzal Ansari’s candidacy will be in jeopardy.
Due to the 4 year sentence, he might not be able to contest the elections.
However, the Supreme Court has currently halted the implementation of Ansari’s sentence.
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