UP: Security Tightened in Aligarh, After Death of Mukhtar Ansari

Following the passing of Mukhtar Ansari due to a cardiac arrest on Thursday night, increased security measures have been implemented in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

According to IG Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur, police carried out a flag march in the region, and a statewide alert has been issued.

“After the death of Mukhtar Ansari, an alert has been issued in the entire state. There is also an alert in the area regarding this and now SSP Aligarh is with us and taking stock regarding this. Police administration will remain alert on all these points. All the officials will monitor the spread of rumours on social media,” he added.

As per the official statement from the hospital, the notorious gangster was admitted around 8:25 PM. A team of nine doctors provided medical care to him before his demise, as mentioned in the release.

Expressing condolences over the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Samajwadi Party shared a post on Twitter that read, “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 !”.

Speaking on the same, Congress leader Surendra Rajput launched an attack on the BJP and said, “Today Mukhtar Ansari’s death in jail raises a big question for the BJP-led UP Government…This should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on.”

Speaking to ANI, Naseem Haider, the lawyer for Mukhtar Ansari, said, “I received information that he has been brought here, so I have come here.”

After complaining of abdominal pain on Tuesday, he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda. Subsequently, upon discharge, he was transferred to Uttar Pradesh’s Rani Durgawati Medical College, as reported.

Ansari secured election as an MLA from the Mau assembly seat five times, with two victories under the Bahujan Samaj Party banner. Additionally, he wielded significant influence in Ghazipur, his native city.

In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari received a conviction and a 10-year prison sentence for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. Subsequently, on March 13, 2024, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case linked to the use of forged documents to obtain an arms license in 1990.

Prior to these incidents, in December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi had convicted Mukhtar Ansari for intimidating Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder case of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta. Ansari received a sentence of five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined Rs 10,000.

On October 15 of the previous year, the Enforcement Directorate seized lands, a building, and bank deposits valued at over Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering probe involving Mukhtar Ansari.