A social media influencer and her mother have been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating an attack that resulted in the death of two men during a high-speed car chase. Mahek Bukhari, 24, and Ansreen Bukhari, 46, along with two others, were found guilty of the murder of Ansreen’s former lover, Saqib Hussain, 21, and his friend Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, 21. The incident occurred when their car veered off the A46 near Leicester on February 11, 2022. The co-defendants, Rekhan Karwan, 29, and Raees Jamal, 23, were also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Natasha Akhtar, 23, Ameer Jamal, 28, and Sanaf Gulamustafa, 23, were convicted of manslaughter and received sentences of 11, 14, and 14 years respectively.
During her TikTok videos, Mahek Bukhari had boasted about her “elite relationship” with her mother. Judge Timothy Spencer criticized her immaturity and self-obsession, stating that her pursuit of fame had made her oblivious to the harm she caused. The judge described the case as a “story of love, obsession, and extortion.”
Mahek Bukhari was given a minimum sentence of 31 years and 8 months, while her mother received a minimum of 26 years and 9 months. Raees Jamal was sentenced to a minimum of 36 years, while Rekhan Karwan received a tariff of 26 years and 10 months.
During the trial, it was revealed that Ansreen Bukhari had an affair with Saqib Hussain, who later threatened to expose her using explicit images and videos. Fearing blackmail, Mahek Bukhari enlisted friends to confront him at a meeting near Leicester. However, Hussain and Ijazuddin grew suspicious and attempted to flee, leading to a high-speed chase on the A46 dual carriageway.
During the pursuit, Saqib Hussain called emergency services, pleading for help. The call ended abruptly with a scream and the sound of impact. The victims’ car crashed into a tree and burst into flames, resulting in their deaths. Forensic investigators determined that one of the chasing cars was driving at 100 miles per hour, while the victims’ car was traveling at over 80 mph at the time of the crash.
In victim impact statements, the families of the deceased expressed their grief and the senselessness of the tragedy. Mahek Bukhari, who had a significant following on TikTok, where she shared fashion, makeup, and social advice, had previously posted a video dancing with her mother, claiming they had an “elite relationship.”
The content of this report is based on information from multiple sources, with PA Media contributing to the coverage.