Panel To Investigate Death of Mukhtar Ansari Has Three Members; Brother Says “No Cognizance Taken” By Authorities; Reactions From Politicians, Police

A magisterial inquiry into the killing of Mukhtar Ansari, a former mobster turned politician, will be carried out by a three-person committee. A panel of two physicians will perform a postmortem on the corpse, and the proceedings will be recorded on tape.

Mukhtar’s mortal remains would be given to his son, Umar Ansari, after the postmortem.

Mukhtar, a prisoner at Banda Prison, passed away on Thursday after a heart attack there. His condition worsened and he was taken to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda.

According to a hospital’s official medical report, Mukhtar passed away from cardiac arrest.

Sibgatullah Ansari, the elder brother of Mukhtar Ansari, told news agency ANI that he was not notified by the government and that he learned about Mukhtar’s passing via the media.

He had been quite ill since March 18 and, despite repeatedly raising the alarm, was not receiving any medical attention. He was taken to the medical college for a few hours on March 25–26 as a formality since he was in really terrible health, according to Sibgatullah. He also said that his brother was returned because he was deemed “stable” and that he received no medical attention.

The brother of the gangster-turned-politician said that “no cognisance was taken” in spite of the family having voiced their concerns to authorities months earlier and in writing to the High Court and Supreme Court.

Politicians Respond
Chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, urged for a “high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed” on the microblogging platform X.

“A high-level investigation is necessary to uncover the true facts of Mukhtar Ansari’s death, given the family’s persistent concerns and grave allegations regarding his death while he was in jail,” she wrote.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh went on to say, “It is understandable that his family would be grieving under this circumstance. May the natural world provide them the fortitude to endure this grief.

Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party, meanwhile, attacked the Uttar Pradesh administration, declaring that “a state that cannot protect life has no right to remain in power.”

He said that the state’s “first responsibility” is to safeguard people’s lives in all circumstances and locations. “A judge of the Supreme Court should oversee the investigation of all such dubious cases,” Yadav said.

Leader of the Samajwadi Party Ameeque Jamei also questioned if Mukhtar was given the necessary medical care and called for a “thorough investigation of the incident.”

In addition, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav enquired as to whether Mukhtar’s death will be subject to a judicial investigation.

Ram Gopal said in a post on X that the circumstances surrounding the death of former MLA Mukhtar Ansari are very concerning. He had previously applied to the court, expressing his fear of being poisoned to death. Nobody is secure under the existing system—not in their house, not in police custody, and not in prison.

“People are being intimidated by the administration and compelled to remain silent. Based on the application that Mukhtar Ansari made to the court, is anybody safe? “Will the UP government launch a legal investigation?” he asked.

Sanjay Nishad, the head of the Nishad party and a UP minister, responded to the claims made by the opposition by stating that while death is a natural occurrence, “people should believe in science because forensic examination is the only which can be trusted.”

Nishad said, “The opposition has no choice but to blame; they should wait for the postmortem report.”

With a pointed question, “What’s the point of presenting it (Mukhtar’s death) in a big way?” BJP leader Hari Sahani attacked the opposition.

“It was an illness that caused his death.What’s the purpose of making a huge presentation now? Sahani asked ANI.

“They didn’t find it plausible to raise voices for him after a priest in Bihar was brutally murdered, but several cases were filed against that person (Deceased Mukhtar Ansari), and today he passed away from cardiac arrest, so they are in so much pain now for him,” he said.

OFFICE REACTS
The claim that Mukhtar was poisoned, according to former UP Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh, is “absolutely a baseless allegation.”

He said that when Mukhtar’s autopsy is completed, everything would become evident.

In response to the rumors circulating around the state, Singh said that a high alert had also been issued. In places like Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, and Varanasi, police are on high alert.

He further observed that Mukhtar had “filed numerous such applications on medical grounds” to avoid appearing in UP courts while he was incarcerated in Punjab. Singh said, “He has not always been well and has been sick for a long time.”

The former DGP said, “Mukhtar Ansari was a criminal, a don, and a mafia, and his death should not be thought of extensively.”

When former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shailendra Singh attempted to take action against Mukhtar in 2004, during the height of the gangster’s empire, he was forced to retire, he told news agency ANI.

When there was a curfew in place, he would go about in an open jeep. At that point, I was able to retrieve a light machine gun; no more recoveries were accomplished. The former DSP said, “I even forced POTA on him.

However, he said that the “government of Mullayam wanted to save him at any cost.” According to Shailendra Singh, pressure was used to authorities, including the transfer of IG-Range, DIG, and SP-STF, and he was also “made to resign within 15 days.”

However, I stated in my resignation letter why I was leaving and informed the public that this is the administration you picked, one that follows mafia commands and protects their interests. No one was receiving a favor from me. It was my responsibility. stated Shailendra.

In the meanwhile, Mau, the Superintendent of Police, said that “those who spread rumors will face consequences.”

He said that in light of the “Friday namaz,” the area is on high alert.

There have been some circulating rumors that the area is under curfew. The SP said that Section 144 of the CrPC has already been implemented in Mau and urged the populace to “maintain peace and not believe in orders.”