Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Passes Away in Uttar Pradesh

In a significant development from Uttar Pradesh, Mukhtar Ansari, a well-known gangster-turned-politician, passed away due to a cardiac arrest at Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda. The incident occurred on Thursday, as confirmed by the medical college's principal, Suneel Kaushal, through a telephonic conversation. Ansari's health had seen a rapid decline, leading to his transfer from the district jail to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

Ansari, aged 63, had a long history of criminal activities and political influence. He was a five-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Mau Sadar seat. His incarceration spanned across jails in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005, with more than 60 criminal cases pending against him. Since September 2022, he had been convicted in eight different cases by courts in Uttar Pradesh and was serving his sentence in Banda jail.

Following Ansari's demise, the Uttar Pradesh Police took swift action to maintain law and order across the state. Director General of Police Prashant Kumar announced the imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), effectively preventing large gatherings. Additional police forces were deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi districts to ensure peace and stability. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) teams were also mobilized alongside local police units in these areas.

The influence of Ansari extended beyond his immediate locality, with significant sway in the adjoining districts of Ghazipur and Varanasi as well. In light of his death, the Uttar Pradesh Police's social media cell was activated to monitor and prevent any unlawful activities online.

According to a medical bulletin released by the hospital, Ansari was admitted around 8:25 pm on Thursday in an unconscious state after experiencing vomiting. Despite the efforts of a nine-doctor team, he succumbed to a cardiac arrest. This event followed an earlier hospitalization on Tuesday due to abdominal pain, during which his brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari raised concerns about potential poisoning.

The Samajwadi Party expressed its condolences over Ansari's death through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, "Sad demise of former MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. May his soul rest in peace. May the bereaved family members get the strength to bear this immense loss. Humble tribute."

The passing of Mukhtar Ansari marks the end of a controversial chapter in Uttar Pradesh's political and criminal history. His life was marked by numerous legal battles and allegations of criminal activities that overshadowed his political career. The state's response to his death underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and addressing the complexities associated with high-profile inmates.