SC grants protection from arrest to Umar Ansari

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted protection from arrest to Umar Ansari, son of politician Mukhtar Ansari, in a criminal case related to the 2022 assembly elections.
Umar Ansari is accused of violating the model code of conduct during the elections. The bench, comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra, issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on Ansari’s plea challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Umar Ansari, argued that the main accused had already been granted regular bail in the case. The Allahabad High Court had earlier rejected Umar Ansari’s anticipatory bail application on December 19, 2022, stating that the offense was made out based on the facts and circumstances of the case.

The FIR was registered on March 4, 2022, at Kotwali police station in Mau district against Abbas Ansari (SBSP candidate from Mau Sadar seat), Umar Ansari, and 150 unknown individuals. The FIR alleged that during a public meeting on March 3, 2022, at Pahadpura ground, organized by Mansoor Ahmad Ansari, Abbas Ansari, and Umar Ansari called for settling a score with the Mau administration, constituting a violation of the election code of conduct.