Convicted TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari is fighting her life sentence. She has appealed to the UK Court of Appeal. Her lawyer argues her 31-year minimum term is “wholly disproportionate.”
Mehak Bukhari’s Crime: A Deadly High-Speed Ambush
Mahek Bukhari, 24, was convicted for a brutal double murder. The victims were Saqib Hussain, 21, and his friend, Hashim Ijazuddin.
The murders happened in February 2022 in Leicester. The incident was a high-speed car chase on the A46. The victims’ car was rammed off the road. It then burst into flames.
The Motive: Blackmail and a Secret Affair
The murders stemmed from a secret affair. Mahek’s mother, Ansreen Bukhari, 46, was having an affair with Saqib Hussain.
Saqib Hussain reportedly threatened to expose intimate material of Ansreen. He demanded £3,000 to keep it secret.
The Trap: A Fake Meeting to Return Money
The Bukharis devised a plan. They lured Hussain and Ijazuddin to a Tesco car park. The meeting was under the guise of returning the blackmail money.
But it was a trap. When the victims arrived, they were ambushed. Two cars, a Seat Leon and an Audi TT, chased them.
The chase reached speeds of up to 100 mph. The victims’ Skoda was forced off the road. It hit a tree and exploded into flames.
The Convictions: Multiple Sentencings
Mahek Bukhari was the mastermind of the plot. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. Her minimum term is 31 years.
Her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, was also convicted of murder. She received a life sentence with a minimum of 26 years.
Four other people were also convicted. Rekan Karwan and Raees Jamal were found guilty of murder. Ameer Jamal, Sanaf Gulamustafa, and Natasha Akhtar were convicted of manslaughter.
The Appeal: Challenging the Sentence
Mahek Bukhari is now appealing her sentence. Her lawyer, Christopher Millington KC, spoke in court.
He argued the sentence is too long. Millington claims the judge did not consider key factors.
The Defense’s Key Arguments
Millington pointed to Saqib Hussain’s behavior. He described it as “controlling and threatening.” He argued this blackmail caused significant emotional distress.
The defense claims the murder was not premeditated. Millington called it a “heat of the moment” act. He stressed Mahek’s youth and immaturity at the time.
He told the court, “The result is a sentence that is wholly disproportionate.”
What Happens Next?
The appeal hearing is ongoing. The Court of Appeal judges will now consider the arguments. They will decide if Mahek Bukhari’s sentence should be reduced.
The case continues to draw significant public attention. The court’s decision will determine if the TikTok influencer gets a shorter prison term.
