Following his father’s death in custody, Mau MLA Abbas Ansari fears conspiracy and urges Supreme Court to intervene
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Abbas Ansari, the son of late politician Mukhtar Ansari, and a sitting MLA from Uttar Pradesh’s Mau constituency, has expressed grave concerns over his safety while in custody. Currently lodged in Kasganj jail, Ansari has approached the Supreme Court, seeking permission to attend court hearings via video conferencing, citing fears of a potential threat to his life during transit between the jail and the court.
Abbas Ansari, who represents the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, is facing charges under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, in connection with alleged criminal activities in Chitrakoot district. His plea comes in the wake of his father Mukhtar Ansari’s death in jail last year, which had sparked widespread controversy and allegations of foul play.
During a hearing on Friday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Abbas Ansari, urged the Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice N Kotishwar Singh to allow his client to appear virtually in court proceedings. Sibal highlighted the risks associated with physical transportation, stating, “Nowadays, many things happen between the jail and the court. People die while being taken from jail to court.”
The bench, however, suggested that Ansari approach the high court for relief. Sibal countered, arguing that doing so would require Ansari to be physically transported to the court, thereby exposing him to potential danger. “My client has been in jail for one and a half years in this case. Please grant him bail,” Sibal pleaded.
Additional Advocate General KM Nataraj, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that Ansari had previously withdrawn a bail plea from the Supreme Court to approach the high court, which subsequently rejected his application. Nataraj requested time to file a response to Ansari’s latest petition, stating, “The high court rejected his bail plea in the case, and now he is again before the Supreme Court. Please allow me to file a reply to this petition.” The bench issued a notice and granted the government two weeks to submit its reply.
Abbas Ansari’s concerns are not unfounded. His father, Mukhtar Ansari, a former five-time MLA, died in March this year while in custody. His death, officially attributed to a cardiac arrest, was met with skepticism by his family, who alleged foul play and demanded an independent investigation.
A family member of Abbas Ansari expressed their apprehensions, saying, “We have already lost Mukhtar Ansari in suspicious circumstances. We cannot afford to lose Abbas too. The government must ensure his safety.”
Abbas Ansari’s legal troubles stem from an FIR registered on August 31, 2024, at Kotwali Karvi police station in Chitrakoot district. Abbas and four others were accused of extortion and assault, and a gang chart prepared by the police identified him as the leader of a criminal gang. He was arrested on September 6, 2024, and has been in custody since then.
The case has reignited debates over the safety of high-profile prisoners and the need for robust mechanisms to protect their rights while in custody. As the Supreme Court awaits the government’s response, the spotlight remains on Abbas Ansari’s plea for safety and justice.
The next hearing is scheduled in two weeks and the court will deliberate on Ansari’s request for virtual hearings and bail. For now, the MLA’s fate hangs in the balance, with his safety concerns adding a layer of urgency to an already contentious legal battle.
The case of Abbas Ansari starkly reminds Muslims of the challenges they face in their quest for justice and safety. As the legal proceedings continue, the community watches closely, hoping for a fair and just outcome. The quotes from Kapil Sibal, the family member, and KM Nataraj highlight the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety and rights of all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds.
