Jailed Gangster-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies

Heart Attack Claims Life of Mukhtar Ansari

Mukhtar Ansari, the five-time MLA from Mau, Uttar Pradesh, passed away due to cardiac arrest on Thursday evening. Following his demise, an investigation was initiated to examine the circumstances of his death. 

The gangster-politician, who was incarcerated in Banda district jail, was quickly taken to Rani Durgavati Medical College as his health declined, reportedly after breaking his Ramzan fast. Initially, doctors were summoned to the jail to attend to him, but he was later transferred to the hospital when medical personnel suspected he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

He was brought to the hospital at 8:25 pm in an unconscious state. A team of nine doctors was attending to him, but he ultimately succumbed to cardiac arrest.

In response to allegations of foul play by Mukhtar Ansari's family, a magisterial probe was launched to investigate his death. Speaking to the press, Ansari's son, Umar Ansari, asserted that his father had been administered poison through the food served to him.

This development follows Ansari's recent statement to a Barabanki court, where he claimed that he had been served food laced with poison while in prison.

On March 26, Ansari was hospitalized for approximately 14 hours due to complaints of abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital, according to sources. The doctors recommended that he undergo surgery.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party and other opposition leaders offered condolences to Ansari's family.

The Samajwadi Party expressed their condolences in a tweet, 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 sorrow. Humble tribute!"

In an X post, BSP supremo Mayawati stressed the necessity for a high-level investigation into the apprehensions and serious allegations raised by Mukhtar Ansari's family concerning his death in jail. She underscored the importance of revealing the truth behind his demise and acknowledged the natural sadness felt by his family during this time.

Mukhtar Ansari, a former five-time MLA from the Mau Sadar seat, had been incarcerated in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. With over 60 criminal cases pending against him, he spent two years in a Punjab prison before being transferred back to Banda jail in April 2021.

He had been sentenced in eight cases by various courts in Uttar Pradesh since September 2022 and was housed in Banda jail at the time of his passing.

His name was included on the list of 66 gangsters issued by the Uttar Pradesh Police last year.

Meanwhile, the police have heightened vigilance in Banda and other areas, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Mau, and Ghazipur. Orders have also been issued to intensify police patrols in sensitive areas.