Police ask Mau MLA Abbas Ansari to explain his stay beyond the court-approved period at the Yusufpur residence
GHAZIPUR — Political tension gripped Ghazipur late on Sunday night after a large police team suddenly reached the ancestral residence of Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari in Mohammadabad’s Yusufpur area and served a notice to Mau MLA Abbas Ansari regarding his stay at the property.
The police operation, carried out under the supervision of Mohammadabad Circle Officer Sudhakar Pandey, created panic and curiosity in the locality as a heavy police force arrived outside the well-known Ansari family residence, commonly referred to as “Fatak”.
According to police officials, Abbas Ansari had received permission from the Supreme Court to stay at his ancestral residence beginning 13 May for only three days.
Police claimed they later received information suggesting that the MLA continued to stay there even after the permitted period had ended.
Based on that information, the police team reportedly reached the residence to verify the situation and formally serve a notice seeking clarification.
The sudden arrival of police vehicles and officers late at night quickly drew local attention and triggered political discussion in the area.
Supporters of the Ansari family gathered near the residence as officials entered the premises.
Samajwadi Party MLA Shoaib Ansari was also reportedly present during the interaction between police officials and Abbas Ansari.
According to sources, discussions between the police officers and the MLA lasted nearly 10 to 15 minutes.
Police reportedly asked for documents related to the Supreme Court’s permission order and details regarding the duration of his stay.
Sources familiar with the exchange claimed that Abbas Ansari informed officials that a fresh Supreme Court order had been issued and requested one day to provide a certified copy of the document.
He also reportedly questioned the need for such a large late-night police deployment, saying that authorities could have verified the information through Mau district police officials as well.
Police officials, however, maintained that they were acting according to the instructions and records available to them at the time.
Circle Officer Sudhakar Pandey later told reporters that police action was based on the earlier court order which allowed only a limited stay at the Yusufpur residence.
“We had information at the local level that he was still present there after the permitted period. Therefore, verification and notice proceedings were carried out,” the officer said.
He further stated that if Abbas Ansari had received fresh permission from the court for an extended stay, then a certified copy would need to be submitted to police authorities.
Otherwise, officials indicated that he may be required to vacate the premises.
During the interaction, sources said the MLA also informed police about other legal matters and cases registered against him.
However, the Ansari family did not issue any official public statement to the media regarding the incident.
The development has once again brought attention to the Ansari family, which remains politically influential in eastern Uttar Pradesh and has frequently been at the centre of legal and political controversies.
Supporters of the family viewed the late-night police action as excessive and politically charged.
A local Samajwadi Party worker said, “If documents were needed, the matter could have been handled normally. Bringing heavy police force at night creates unnecessary fear and sends a political message.”
Opposition leaders in Uttar Pradesh have repeatedly accused the BJP-led state government of using police and administrative machinery aggressively against Muslim politicians and opposition figures.
Government supporters reject those allegations and say law enforcement agencies are simply carrying out legal orders and court directions.
Political observers noted that actions involving Muslim leaders in Uttar Pradesh often quickly become politically sensitive because of the state’s polarised atmosphere.
Prof Hilal Ahmad, a political analyst, said, “Whenever police action takes place against prominent Muslim opposition leaders, supporters tend to view it through a larger lens of political targeting and state pressure.”
Residents of Yusufpur said the unusually large police presence late at night created tension in the locality.
“People became worried seeing so many police vehicles suddenly arriving. Everyone came out of their homes to understand what was happening,” said a local shopkeeper.
For now, the matter appears to depend on whether fresh legal documents regarding Abbas Ansari’s stay are submitted before authorities take further action.
Meanwhile, the incident has already added fresh heat to the political atmosphere in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where the Ansari family continues to remain a major and closely watched political force.
