Mahek Bukhari, a TikTok influencer, is currently appealing her life sentence for the double murder of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin. In September 2023, she was sentenced to a minimum of 31 years in prison for her role in the deaths, which took place in February 2022.
TikTok Star’s Involvement in Double Murder
Mahek, aged 24 at the time of sentencing, was convicted alongside her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, who received a 26-year sentence for her involvement. The incident unfolded when Hussain allegedly threatened to release intimate images of Ansreen unless she paid him £3,000, which led to a fatal confrontation.
Details of the Incident
- Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, both 21 and from Banbury, Oxfordshire, were lured to Leicester.
- The meeting was arranged under the pretense of returning the money.
- The pair was ambushed and pursued at high speed along the A46 in two vehicles.
- The chase culminated in a collision that resulted in their deaths.
The trial revealed that the Bukharis and their accomplices had planned the meeting, citing ongoing threats from Hussain as a motive. After the chase began, Hussain made a frantic 999 call stating they were being “rammed off the road.”
Appeal for Sentence Reduction
During the appeal at the Court of Appeal on October 17, 2023, Mahek’s legal team argued that her sentence was excessive. They contended that Hussain’s controlling behavior towards her mother was a pivotal factor that had not been adequately reflected in the sentencing.
Christopher Millington KC, representing Mahek, emphasized that the situation escalated in the “heat of the moment,” rather than being premeditated murder. He argued that with influences like her young age and emotional maturity, her sentence should be reconsidered.
Despite these arguments, the Crown Prosecution Service maintained that a conscious decision was made not to involve law enforcement, which significantly contributed to the tragic outcome. Judge Timothy Spencer KC had previously remarked on Mahek’s perceived self-obsession and social media fame.
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
Judges Lord Justice Warby, Mr. Justice Lavender, and Judge Sylvia De Bertodano will review the appeal and provide their verdict in due course. The case continues to draw significant public attention, shedding light on the serious implications of social media fame intersecting with real-life events.
