Supreme Court rejects plea seeking probe into Mukhtar Ansar's death

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear a petition seeking a probe into the death of Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died in prison due to a heart attack last year.
The top court noted that since the petition was originally filed while Mukhtar Ansari was still alive, there is no basis to continue the proceedings after his death. The court advised Umar to approach the Allahabad high court to seek any further legal action.
In the plea, filed by Mukhtar Ansar's son Umar Ansari, it was claimed that although a judicial inquiry was conducted into Mukhtar's death, they have not yet received the report.
Mukhtar Ansari had served multiple terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mau and was associated with various parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Known for his criminal background, he faced numerous charges, including murder, extortion, and land grabbing.
Despite his criminal record, he maintained significant political influence, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh. His name became synonymous with the nexus of crime and politics in the region. Mukhtar died in 2024 while in jail, with his family alleging foul play, prompting a judicial inquiry into his death.
He rose like a meteor in the world of crime on Aug 3, 1991, when Awadhesh Rai -- brother of Congress leader Ajay Rai -- fell victim to a shower of bullets outside his residence in Varanasi’s Chetganj police station area. This was the 13th crime, and the most sensational until then, committed by Mukhtar who was first booked in a crime case as early as 1978.
There was no looking back. In another chilling incident, Mahavir Prasad Rungta, brother of coal businessman and VHP treasurer Nand Kishore Rungta, was kidnapped from his Varanasi office on Jan 22, 1997. Despite a hefty ransom of Rs 1.25 crore paid by the family, Nand Kishore Rungta’s fate remained uncertain.