Gangster Sanjeev Jeeva Shot Dead Outside Court in Lucknow

Jeeva was a close aide of Mukhtar Ansari and was a co-accused in the murder case of BJP MLA Brahmhadatt Dwivedi.

The assailants were reportedly dressed as lawyers.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Producer: Vishnu Gopinath

Video Editor: Karuna Mishra

Gangster Sanjeev Jeeva was shot dead by some unknown assailants outside a SC/ST court in Lucknow on Wednesday, 7 June.

The assailants were reportedly dressed as lawyers. The incident occurred inside the court house, killing Sanjeev Jeeva and also injuring a girl.

"The assailant, dressed as a lawyer, opened fire on Sanjeev Jeeva when he was entering the court premises to appear in a case hearing. Sanjeev succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Two policemen and the child who were injured in the incident are out of danger now," said Prashant Kumar, Special DG (Law & Order), as quoted by PTI.

Jeeva was a close aide of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and was a co-accused in the murder case of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Brahmhadatt Dwivedi.

This comes a day after Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Varanasi Court for the murder of Congress leader Awadhesh Rai in 1991.

Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Is it a democracy? The question is not who is being killed but the question is that one is being killed where security is the highest."

Later in the evening, Uttar Pradesh Special DG, Law and Order Prashant Kumar issued an order directing all district superintendents of police to immediately increase security in all district courts. Metal detectors and other equipment will also be installed on the court premises, ANI reported.