February 02, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 23, 1429

NEW DELHI: An Indian lawmaker was arrested in connection with 46 criminal cases, including charges of murder, kidnapping and rioting, police said on Friday, bringing an end to a six-month manhunt.

Ateeq Ahmad, 45, was arrested late on Thursday by Delhi police.

“He is involved in 46 criminal cases of indulging in attempts to murder, murder, extortion, kidnapping, rioting, Arms act and Gangsters Act,” the Delhi Police said in a statement.

Ahmad was also wanted in connection with the murder of a political rival in 2005, after which he was expelled from his regional Samajwadi Party.

The lawmaker was elected to the federal parliament in 2004, and had been a member of a state legislative assembly for 15 years.

A study by an Indian watchdog found that nearly a quarter of the 542 people elected to the federal parliament in 2004 had faced criminal charges including murder and rape.—AFP