In a shocking and tragic case, social media influencer Mahek Bukhari and her mother, Ansreen Bukhari, have been handed life sentences for their involvement in a gruesome double murder. The victims, 21-year-olds Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin, lost their lives in a high-speed car crash that was meticulously planned by the Bukharis. The motive behind this heinous act was a disturbing blend of love, obsession, and extortion.
The court’s investigation revealed that Saqib Hussain had threatened to expose an affair he had with Ansreen, which triggered a deadly chain of events.
The Bukharis lured Saqib to a Tesco car park, promising to reimburse him for the £3,000 he had spent on Ansreen during their relationship. However, their true intention was to confiscate Saqib’s phone, which they believed contained explicit images of Ansreen that he had threatened to disclose.
Saqib and his friend Hashim fell prey to a masked gang, recruited by the Bukharis. They were pursued at breakneck speeds, reaching 90mph along the A46, before crashing into a tree, resulting in their car engulfed in flames.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC described this case as a disturbing narrative of “love, obsession, and extortion” that ultimately culminated in “cold-blooded murder.” He also emphasized the role of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok and Instagram, in Mahek Bukhari’s life, where she had amassed a substantial following by sharing beauty and fashion tips.
Addressing Mahek, the judge remarked, “Your relentless pursuit of fame as an influencer has made you self-obsessed, blinding you to the devastating consequences of your actions on others.”
The judge also noted Ansreen’s fascination with the glamour associated with her daughter’s social media career, which starkly contrasted with her role as a mother and homemaker.
Sikandar Hayat, Hashim’s grieving father, described his son as “innocent” and questioned why the defendants did not seek help for the victims after the crash.
During the trial, a chilling 999 call made by Saqib Hussain just moments before the fatal crash was played, where he reported being pursued by masked individuals attempting to force him off the road. The call ended with a harrowing scream, leaving an indelible mark on the court and those who heard it.
In addition to Mahek and Ansreen Bukhari, co-defendants Rekan Karwan, 29, and Raees Jamal, 23, were also sentenced for their roles in the tragic murders. Jamal was already serving time for a separate rape conviction.
This disturbing case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of obsession and the potential dangers of unchecked online influence.
