“Gangster-turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Passes Away After being Admitted”
Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who had been embroiled in numerous legal battles, passed away on Thursday night. The demise followed his admission to Banda Medical College earlier that day, when he was found unconscious in his barrack.
Sources reported that Ansari suffered a heart attack, prompting immediate intervention by jail officials who rushed him to the district hospital. This incident occurred shortly after Ansari had complained of abdominal pain and constipation, leading to a brief hospitalization earlier in the week.
Allegations of ‘slow poisoning’ surfaced when his lawyer moved an application before a court in Barabanki, asserting mistreatment by prison staff. Ansari’s legal entanglements were extensive, with recent convictions adding to his troubles.
In March 2024, he received a life sentence for obtaining an arms license through forged documents dating back to 1990, marking his eighth conviction in the span of 18 months. Additionally, a December 2023 conviction for intimidating a crucial witness in a murder case resulted in a sentence of five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.
The Enforcement Directorate’s actions against Ansari in October of the preceding year, as part of a money laundering investigation, further compounded his challenges. This included the attachment of assets worth over Rs 73.43 lakh.
Despite his legal woes, Ansari had a notable political career, having been elected as an MLA from the Mau constituency five times, twice as a BSP candidate. His last electoral contest was in 2017.
Author:- Apoorva Arora