Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday, 28th March, after his health deteriorated in jail. As the news of his death spread, various reactions emerged from different groups. Samajwadi Party, Islamists, and liberals on social media mourned his death. On the other hand, Congress, BSP supremo Mayawati, and the family members of the dead gangster demanded an investigation into the death of the criminal.
From its official X handle, the Samajwadi Party posted, “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!”
SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav wrote a long post condemning the UP government for Ansari’s death and demanded an investigation. He equated the deaths of criminals in encounters, during court trials etc as ‘anarchy’.
Samajwadi Party leader Ameeque Jamai demanded an investigation in this case. He said, “We stand with the family of Mukhtar Ansari. Recently he said that he could be murdered anytime, Why he was not given a proper medical facility…We will demand a thorough investigation of the incident.”
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav posted, “Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. Prima facie this does not seem justifiable and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents.”
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi posted from his X handle, “I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones. The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable.”
Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati posted from her X handle, “The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari’s family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the facts of his death can be revealed. In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad. May nature give them the strength to bear this sorrow.”
Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who has now joined the Congress party posted from his X handle, “This is institutional murder of ormer MLA Mukhtar Ansari. It is like burying law, constitution, natural justice.”
In another post on his X handle, he said, “Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of this! There should be an impartial investigation within the guidelines of the Supreme Court. He was making allegations for several days that he was being given a slow poison. His MP brother also made this allegation. This is an indelible stain on the constitutional system in the country.”
Another Congress leader Surendra Rajput from Lucknow said, “How accused Mukhtar Ansari died in jail raises serious questions on the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh… There should be a high-level investigation into this incident and this investigation should be conducted under the supervision of a high court judge.”
Mukhtar Ansari’s son raises ‘poisoning’ allegations
Similar allegations regarding the alleged poisoning are raised by the family of the dead gangster Mukhtar Ansari. His son Umar Ansari said, “I was not told anything from the administration side, I came to know about it through the media. But now the whole nation knows everything. Two days ago I came to meet him, but I was not allowed. We said earlier also and even today we will say the same about the allegation of giving slow poison. On 19th March, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it.”
He added, “Post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow, after that, they will give us the body. We will then follow with the further process (cremation). My father alleged being given a slow poison. Around five doctors panel has been made (for carrying out the post-mortem).”
Gangster Mukhtar Ansari was shifted to Banda Medical College Hospital in Banda after he complained about pain in the abdomen. As per the hospital, Ansari died during treatment after suffering a heart attack.
He was admitted to the ICU after the hospitalisation. However, as his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to CCU. The hospital said that a team of 9 doctors were attending him. However, Mukhtar Ansari died during the treatment in hospital.
Mukhtar Ansari – born on 30th June 1963 – was a mafia don who had become a synonym for terror in the entire Uttar Pradesh in the 70s and 80s. Later he entered politics and won assembly elections from Mau five consecutive times. He had even contested and won elections from jail.
A detailed history of the mafia, his rise in crime and politics, and the eventual downfall under the Yogi Adityanath government can be read here.