Ex-UP minister jailed for murder to be released. What was Madhumita Shukla case?

Ex-UP minister Amarmani Tripathi will be released 16 years after he was jailed for the murder of Madhumita Shukla.

The 24-year-old poet was shot dead at close range by two people on May 9, 2003, and her body was found at her home in Lucknow. Amarmani and Madhumita were reportedly in a relationship. Madhumita was found to be seven months pregnant at the time of her death and DNA tests showed that it was Amarmani's child.

Amarmani was a minister in the Mayawati-led BSP govt at the time of the murder. The investigation was first handed to the CID but Mayawati later gave the case to CBI following an appeal by Madhumita's family.

CBI arrested Amarmani in September 2003 but he was released on bail by the Allahabad High Court seven months later.

Madhumita's family appealed to the Supreme Court and the case was eventually shifted to Dehradun due to fear of interference by Amarmani who was politically very influential.

Amarmani and his wife Madhumani were convicted for the murder of Madhumita and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007.