Gangster-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies in UP, Security Heightened

In a significant development from Uttar Pradesh, Mukhtar Ansari, a former MLA and noted gangster-turned-politician, passed away due to cardiac arrest at the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda. The incident occurred on Thursday, leading to the imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code across the state. This measure was taken to prevent large gatherings, with additional security forces deployed in key districts including Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi.

Ansari was transported to the hospital in an unconscious state from the district jail, as confirmed by Suneel Kaushal, the principal of the medical college. His demise has sparked controversy, with allegations of slow poisoning in jail made by his brother, Afzal Ansari. However, these claims have been refuted by the authorities.

Having been a five-time MLA from the Mau Sadar seat, Ansari's criminal record includes over 60 cases with sentences in eight cases since September 2022. His influence was notably strong in Mau and extended to neighbouring districts such as Ghazipur and Varanasi. Following his death, Uttar Pradesh's Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar, highlighted the activation of the state's social media cell to monitor any unlawful online activities closely.

The medical bulletin detailed that Ansari complained of vomiting before being admitted to the hospital around 8.25 pm on Thursday. Despite the efforts of a nine-doctor team, he succumbed to cardiac arrest. The authorities have announced that a videographed postmortem examination will be conducted in Banda, with the preservation of viscera if necessary.

The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders have expressed their condolences over Ansari's death. Tejashwi Yadav, former Bihar chief minister and RJD leader, called for constitutional institutions to take cognizance of such incidents. Similarly, Pappu Yadav, a former Bihar MP now with Congress, termed Ansari's death an "institutional murder" and called for a court-monitored investigation.

Ansari's health concerns were not new; he was hospitalized for abdominal pain approximately 14 hours on Tuesday before his death. His brother had previously alleged that Mukhtar was subjected to slow poisoning in jail, a claim that has now been echoed following his demise.

The transfer of Ansari from Punjab's Ropar jail back to Uttar Pradesh had been a contentious issue. In March 2021, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to hand over his custody to UP after more than two years in connection with an extortion case. This move came after the UP government's plea highlighted the denial of custody under trivial grounds.

The death of Mukhtar Ansari marks a significant chapter in Uttar Pradesh's political and criminal history. With calls for an impartial investigation into the allegations of slow poisoning, this incident remains under scrutiny by both political figures and public observers alike.