Court of Appeal Reduces Sentences in R v Mahek Bukhari & Others
The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has reduced several sentences arising from the deaths of Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin, who were killed following a car crash on the A46 in February 2022.
The appeal was heard before Lord Justice Warby, Mr Justice Lavender, and Her Honour Judge de Bertodano on 17 October 2025. Judgment was handed down on 24 October 2025.
Mr Balraj Bhatia KC of 1 High Pavement Chambers, instructed by Mr Kally Sahota of Sahota & Sahota Solicitors, and leading Mr Sukhdev Garcha of Priory Court Chambers appeared on behalf of Mr Sanaf Gulammustafa, who had been convicted of two counts of manslaughter and originally sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
At first instance, the Crown Court at Leicester imposed life sentences on TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari, Ansreen Bukhari, Raees Jamal, and Rekan Karwan, while Ameer Jamal and Sanaf Gulammustafa each received 15 years and Natasha Akhtar received 12 years.
Following submissions before the Court of Appeal, the Court found that the original sentences were manifestly excessive, particularly in failing to reflect the appellants’ youth, immaturity and limited roles.
In their judgement handed down today, Friday 24th October 2025, sentences were reduced as follows:
- Mahek Bukhari: 26 years and 285 days
- Ameer Jamal: 12 years 8 months
- Sanaf Gulammustafa: 12 years 9 months
- Natasha Akhtar: 9 years 8 months
Ansreen Bukhari and Raees Jamal did not proceed with their appeals.
Mr Balraj (Baz) Bhatia KC was instructed by Kally Sahota of Sahota & Sahota Solicitors at trial and throughout the lengthy and complex appeal process.
Mr Bhatia KC has appeared in many high-profile cases in England and Wales having taken Silk in 2019 and also sits as a Recorder (Judge) in the Crown Court since 2001.
