The judge will announce the verdict on Abbas Ansari's appeal against the hate speech conviction on July 5. The same day will determine whether Abbas retains his legislative position or will have to appeal to a higher court. If the verdict is in Abbas Ansari's favor regarding his sentence, his legislative membership will be restored; otherwise, he will file another appeal in the High Court against this decision.
However, Abbas Ansari's lawyer is confident that the verdict will favor them. During today's hearing, both Abbas Ansari's lawyer and the government counsel have completed their arguments.
The Case Dates Back to 2022
In the 2022 assembly elections, during a campaign rally in Paharpura, Mau Nagar Kotwali area, Abbas Ansari made statements from the stage about halting officer transfers and dealings after the election and formation of the government. This led to a case filed for hate speech by the then-SI Gangaram Bind against Abbas Ansari and others.
Post-Conviction Legislative Membership Revoked
During the trial and arguments, 6 witnesses were produced by the prosecution. Subsequently, on May 31, chief judicial magistrate MP/MLA court's judge Dr. K.P. Singh sentenced Abbas Ansari to a 2-year term and fined him 11,000 INR. His legislative membership was revoked post-sentence. On June 9, Abbas Ansari filed an appeal against this decision in Mau's upper court.
Continued hearings and arguments took place on various dates in court. After hearing arguments from both sides today, the judge has set July 5 as the date for the verdict on the sentence, order, and bail. This decision will be declared by Fast Track Court No. 1 MP/MLA judge Rajiv Kumar Vats.
What Did the Lawyer Say?
Abbas Ansari's lawyer, Daroga Singh, mentioned that the appeal arguments occurred today. An order from the court will come on July 5. Abbas Ansari may or may not be present that day. He stated that the prosecution's case has many irregularities, from investigation to trial level. What we raised during the arguments was not adequately answered. Out of our 12 lawsuits, two were annulled by the High Court.
