Mukhtar Ansari, a notorious figure in Uttar Pradesh’s criminal underworld and a prominent politician, died on March 28. His death is seen by many as the end of an era characterised by the influence of mafia elements in the state. Ansari, who was serving time in a prison in UP’s Banda, reportedly passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Ansari’s death comes as a significant development in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, where he had wielded considerable power and influence for decades. Known for his involvement in organised crime, including extortion, land grabbing, and illegal arms trade, Ansari’s name became synonymous with the term “Mafia Raj.”
SP leader and former don Mukhtar Ansari has passed away following health complications.
He was recently admitted to the ICU…
Shocking 😯#MukhtarAnsari #Lucknow#मुख़्तार_अंसारी pic.twitter.com/jgfKLHKFfd— Ramsa Chaudhary (@Ramkishor_jaat_) March 28, 2024
Born into a family with a history of criminal activity, Ansari rose to prominence as a gangster in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the city of Varanasi. His criminal exploits earned him fear among the local populace, allowing him to establish a strong foothold in the region’s political arena.
Security has been stepped up in different areas of Uttar Pradesh. As the state grapples with the aftermath of Ansari’s death, authorities are vigilant to prevent any resurgence of criminal activities that had plagued Uttar Pradesh for years under the shadow of the Mafia Raj
Security increased in sensitive areas of Uttar Pradesh.#MukhtarAnsari pic.twitter.com/lFQueAAD9p
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) March 28, 2024
Ansari’s transition from a feared underworld figure to a mainstream politician was marked by controversy and allegations of criminality. He was elected on the Samajwadi Party’s ticket. Despite facing numerous criminal charges, including murder and extortion, Ansari managed to win elections and secure a seat in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly multiple times.
List of cases filed against Mukhtar Ansari
Despite his tainted reputation, Ansari managed to establish himself as a prominent politician, securing victory in five separate elections to the Legislative Assembly, notably with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on two occasions.
Rising to prominence as a student union leader at Banaras Hindu University in the early 1990s, Ansari swiftly entered the political fray, clinching victory in the 1996 assembly election from the Mau constituency on the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) ticket. This marked the beginning of his illustrious political career, during which he secured the Mau Sadar seat a record five times, spanning from 1996 to 2022.
Of particular interest is Ansari’s familial connection to Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the former Vice President of India, adding a layer of complexity to his already controversial profile.
However, his political career was marred by constant legal battles and encounters with law enforcement agencies. Ansari was extradited from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh to face trial in several criminal cases. His subsequent imprisonment signalled a significant blow to the criminal networks that he had once controlled with impunity.
Ansari’s tenure was rife with legal entanglements, as he faced an array of criminal charges, leading to his incarceration in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh intensified efforts to crack down on Ansari, who found himself embroiled in 52 cases. The government’s objective was to expedite legal proceedings against him, aiming to secure convictions in at least 15 cases.
In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai. Subsequently, on March 13, 2024, Ansari received a life sentence in connection with a fake arms license case.
Under the government’s relentless scrutiny, assets worth crores belonging to Ansari and his associates were either seized or destroyed. Authorities also identified illegal and benami properties linked to Ansari’s gang, leading to a wave of arrests and enforcement actions under the Gangster Act.
With Ansari’s demise, many believe that Uttar Pradesh may finally see an end to the influence of mafia elements in its political and social fabric.
