Former gangster turned politician Mukhtar Ansari's demise due to cardiac arrest jolts the criminal world he once ruled. His storied criminal career spanned nearly two decades behind bars for an array of charges, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, and more. With his death, the law tightens its grip not only on him but on his family members who are scattered in the crosshairs of justice. Afshan Ansari, Mukhtar's wife, has been absconding for a long time, with a bounty of 50,000 INR on her.
Questions now arise about whether Afshan Ansari will emerge from hiding following Mukhtar's death. Her capture remains a daunting task for UP Police. There are 11 cases filed against Afshan. Mukhtar's residence is in the village of Yusufpur in Ghazipur district.
A Total of 101 Cases Filed Against the Family
Incidentally, the Ansari family collectively faces a staggering 101 cases. While Mukhtar himself had 65 cases against him, the law spared no one in his immediate kin. His brother, Afzal Ansari, is implicated in 7 cases, and another brother, Sigbatullah Ansari, in 3. They're not alone in this legal quagmire—Afshan faces 11 lawsuits, while their sons Abbas and Umar are defendants in 8 and 6 cases respectively, with even Mukhtar's daughter-in-law Nikhat having one case to her name.
Police Records Identify Afshan Ansari as a Member of the IS-191 Gang
Afshan's rap sheet includes multiple criminal cases in Ghazipur's police districts. The police have conducted raids in search of Afshan, revising the reward for her capture to 50,000 INR given the fruitless outcomes so far.
'Stepped into the World of Crime at Age 15'
Mukhtar Ansari's journey began when he ventured into Uttar Pradesh's underworld and quickly transitioned from gangster to political figure. His criminal history was documented from the tender age of 15. The first clash with the law was an FIR for criminal intimidation filed against him at the Sahidpur police station.
'Transitioned from Crime to Politics'
Only a decade later, Ansari became a prominent figure in the contract mafia, with another murder case being registered against him. The subsequent decade saw Ansari's transformation into a familiar face of crime, with at least 14 more serious charges levelled against him. However, his growing criminal profile didn't hinder his political rise.
'Won Elections Thrice While Incarcerated'
Mukhtar first won the legislative election in 1996 as an MLA from Mau, running on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket. He pursued independent candidacies in 2002 and 2007, triumphing from the same seat. Forming the Quami Ekta Dal in 2012, Ansari reclaimed his seat in Mau and in 2017 won it once more. In 2022, he vacated his seat for his son Abbas Ansari, who won on the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party ticket. Mukhtar had been in jail since 2005 and impressively won the 2007, 2012, and 2017 elections while behind bars.
Mukhtar Ansari: Facing Life Sentences and A Throng of Criminal Cases
Ansari recently received a sentence in a 37-year-old case for illegally acquiring a firearm license. In a span of 18 months, different courts in UP convicted him in eight separate cases, two resulting in life imprisonment.
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Supreme Court Orders Ansari's Custody to be Transferred Back to UP
Efforts to extradite Mukhtar from Punjab's Ropar Jail to UP required intervention by the Supreme Court. Following Mukhtar's transfer, UP authorities toppled his criminal empire, seizing or demolishing properties worth over 608 crores INR linked to his gang. Police also thwarted over 215 crores INR worth of his illegal endeavors.
