Lucknow: The Election Commission (EC) has granted permission to jailed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) lawmaker and gangster Mukhtar Ansari to cast his vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
According to ANI, the poll panel gave its nod while responding to a petition filed by BSP national general secretary, Rajya Sabha member and an eminent Supreme Court lawyer, Satish Chand Mishra in the Allahabad High Court for the release of two Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) - Mukhtar Ansari and Hariom Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP).
Mishra had pleaded to the court seeking its clearance so that the two could participate in the voting on March 23.
Ansari is the prime accused in the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, among other crimes, and has pleaded not guilty.
In September 2017, Ansari was acquitted in connection with contractor Manna Singh's murder case.
In 2010, Ansari was also booked for the murder of Ram Singh Maurya, who was a witness to the murder of Manna Singh.
The elections to 58 seats of Rajya Sabha will be held on March 23.
Three nominated members - actor Rekha, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and social worker Anu Aga - will also be retiring then.
(With ANI inputs)
