Krishnanand Rai

Krishnanand Rai Biography

Krishnanand Rai is an Indian politician from the state of Uttar Pradesh, affiliated to Bharatiya Janata Party. He served as a Member of Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2005 representing Mohammadabad Assembly, Ghazipur. He got into active politics in 1999, and was shot dead in 2006. He was 48 years old when he was ambushed on his way back home by assailants who used AK-47 rifles. Seven people died in total. The news achieved nationwide attention long back in 2006, and Ansari brothers - Mukhtar and Afzal Ansari were accused for the conspiracy behind the murder.

Mukhtar Ansari was the prime accused in the Krishnanand Rai murder case and was jailed in 2006. In 2019 CBI Court has cleared Ansari along with all other accused for this murder case. In 2007 he along with Afzal joined BSP. The two brothers were expelled by BSP in 2010, because of criminal activities. It was later revealed that Mukhtar was living a luxurious life in jail.

Krishnanand Rai was born in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh on 11 December 1956. Gondaur was his native village. Though he attended Banaras Hindu University to medicine, he dropped his studies. Rai began his professional career as a contractor and over the years he became a well-known builder in Varanasi. His initial work included government-funded roads and bridges. Later he moved towards construction of residential buildings. His close proximity to Manoj Sinha brought him close to politics, and he joined BJP in 1999.

On 29 November 2005, Rai was murdered while he was returning home after a family function. FIR was filed against Mukhtar and Afzal Ansari but Bhajani Ram Meena, the police superintendent left the case because of pressure. CBCID also surrendered the case, complaining of pressure. The wife of Krishnananda Rai filed a writ in Allahabad High Court demanding a CBI inquiry. In 2019 CBI Special Court in Delhi acquitted all accused.

Published: January 05, 2020

Updated: January 05, 2020