Gangster-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies in UP Jail of Cardiac Arrest

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, marking the end of a controversial figure who had been embroiled in numerous criminal cases. Ansari, 63, was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state from the district jail, as confirmed by the principal of the medical institution, Suneel Kaushal.

Following Ansari's demise, the Uttar Pradesh government took immediate steps to maintain law and order by imposing prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code across the state. This move aimed to prevent any large gatherings that could potentially lead to unrest. Additional security forces, including teams from the Central Reserve Police Force along with local police, were deployed in key districts such as Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi.

Ansari's death has sparked controversy and speculation, with his brother Afzal Ansari alleging that Mukhtar was subjected to slow poisoning while in jail. This claim has been vehemently denied by the authorities. Mukhtar Ansari had a long history of criminal involvement, with over 60 cases pending against him and had been incarcerated in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005.

The Uttar Pradesh Police's social media cell has been activated to monitor any unlawful activities online closely. A medical bulletin revealed that Ansari complained of vomiting before being brought to the medical college around 8.25 pm on Thursday. Despite the efforts of a nine-doctor team, he succumbed to cardiac arrest.

The postmortem examination of Ansari is set to be conducted in Banda and will be videographed, with officials stating that the viscera will be preserved if necessary. The Samajwadi Party and other political figures have expressed their condolences over Ansari's death, highlighting the controversial circumstances surrounding his final days.

Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav has called for a court-monitored investigation into Ansari's death, terming it an "institutional murder" and criticizing it as a failure of the country's constitutional system. This sentiment was echoed by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and others who have raised concerns over the treatment of Ansari in jail and the allegations of poisoning.

Mukhtar Ansari's history includes being lodged in Ropar jail, Punjab, for more than two years in connection with an extortion case before being transferred back to Uttar Pradesh in March 2021 following a Supreme Court directive. His death marks a significant chapter in Uttar Pradesh's political and criminal history, raising questions about jail security and inmate welfare.