Incarcerated in Banda Jail, infamous mafia don Mukhtar Ansari passed away on Thursday evening due to cardiac arrest. His condition worsened in jail, prompting an urgent transfer to Durgavati Medical College where, despite efforts to save him, he was declared deceased. People are often surprised to learn of such a notorious figure's connections to a respected lineage.
Who was Mukhtar Ansari
Born in Ghazipur's Mohammadabad, his father was Subhanullah Ansari and mother, Begum Rabia. His family is recognized as a prominent political clan in Ghazipur. Imprisoned for over 17 years, Mukhtar Ansari's grandfather, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was a freedom fighter. He worked alongside Gandhi Ji and served as Congress President in 1926-27. His maternal grandfather, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously for his valor in the 1947 conflict. Mukhtar's father, Subhanullah, maintained an unblemished political image in Ghazipur. Former Vice President Hamid Ansari was his uncle.
Mukhtar was transferred from Ropar to UP Jail
Mukhtar Ansari was sent from Banda Jail to Ropar Jail in Punjab for a court hearing. After the BJP government formed in UP, he was reluctant to return. There was a tussle between the two state governments, escalating to the Supreme Court. Following a hearing, the Court commanded his transfer to UP. On 7th April 2021, under heavy security, Mukhtar Ansari was moved from Punjab's Ropar through Haryana via Agra, Etawah, and Auraiya to Banda Jail.
He held significant influence in the region
Mukhtar surrendered to the Ghazipur police on charges of inciting riots in Mau and was detained since then. Initially kept in Ghazipur Jail, he was next moved to Mathura, then Agra, and finally Banda Jail. Despite his transfers, he maintained his stronghold in the Poorvanchal region, winning elections even while incarcerated.
To some, he was a Robin Hood figure
Ansari dominated the sectors of contracting, mining, scrap sales, liquor, and railway contracts, using the proceeds to build his empire. Although this 'Robin Hood' looted the rich, he was also known for his generosity towards the poor. Residents of Mau claim that, aside from his might, as a legislator, Mukhtar Ansari facilitated significant regional development with public infrastructure projects, often spending twenty times more than his allotted funds.
His voice reigned in Poorvanchal
Ansari's grandfather was a freedom fighter, and his maternal grandfather a celebrated brigadier — so how did Mukhtar turn to organized crime? Although he has now passed away, his name once commanded significant respect in and around Mau. There was a time when his very mention terrified the province. He had been affiliated with all major political parties in Uttar Pradesh, except BJP. For 24 years, Ansari consecutively won a seat in the UP Legislative Assembly.
The glorious history of the family
Despite becoming the face of organized crime, the Ansari family was renowned in Ghazipur as the primary political family — respected not only for instilling fear but also for their contributions to the downtrodden. Yet, many might not know about the Ansari family's honored historical legacy. Their familial status in Poorvanchal is unmatched. Mukhtar Ansari's grandfather, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was a Congress President during the freedom movement and an intimate associate of Gandhi Ji, honored by having a road in Delhi named after him.
Grandfather was the hero of the Battle of Naushera
Like his grandfather, Mukhtar's maternal grandfather, Mahavir Chakra awardee Brigadier Usman, was notable. A hero of the 1947 conflict, he not only led the Indian Army at Naushera but also secured a victory for the nation, sacrificing his life in the process.
Father was an influential leader, uncle served as Vice President
Continuing the family's legacy, Mukhtar's father, Subhanullah Ansari, was also politically noteworthy. Known for his integrity, he was elected unopposed to the Nagarpalika in 1971. Additionally, former Vice President Hamid Ansari was Mukhtar’s uncle.
Son made the nation proud
On one hand is a family with an illustrious heritage; on the other, Mukhtar, a man entangled in grievous allegations tarnishing this legacy. However, meeting the next generation would surprise you. Mukhtar's son, Abbas Ansari, is an international shooter in shotgun disciplines, ranked among the world's top ten and has brought glory to the nation by winning several medals.
Initially contested elections with BSP
Mukhtar Ansari first won a legislative assembly seat on a BSP ticket in 1996 and followed with victories in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 from Mau. He fought and won the last three elections while incarcerated. His political shield turned him into a stalwart figure in the crime world, deepening his roots in every organized crime.
Old rivalry with a BJP legislator
It was the political rivalry, starting in 2002, that amplified Mukhtar's name, a year that changed his life forever. In that year, BJP legislator Krishna Nand Rai wrested the Mohammadabad assembly seat from the Ansari family, a position they had held since 1985. Rai could not complete his term as a legislator and was murdered in 2005.
Implicated in the Krishna Nand Rai murder case
Rai was returning from an inaugural event when his vehicle was ambushed and shot at with intense gunfire from AK-47 rifles. Rai and all seven occupants were killed in the attack, leading to the transfer of the case's investigation from UP Police to CBI. Following a petition by Rai's widow, Alka, the Supreme Court shifted the case from Ghazipur to Delhi in 2013. However, with witnesses retracting their statements, the case could not reach a conclusion.
Lack of witnesses provided relief
The Special Court in Delhi noted in its 2019 judgment that if the witnesses had access to Witness Protection Scheme 2018 during the trial, the outcome might have been different. Hence, with the desertion of witnesses, Mukhtar was released from jail. Although imprisoned, his gang remained active. Yet, with the advent of the Yogi government, his troubles escalated.
Yogi government tightened the noose
There are 52 cases registered against Mukhtar Ansari in Uttar Pradesh. The state government aimed to convict Mukhtar in 15 cases swiftly. To date, the Yogi government has either demolished or seized assets worth hundreds of crores belonging to Ansari and his gang, identifieабd both illegal and unnamed properties continuously. So far, about 100 accused from the Mukhtar gang have been arrested, with 75 henchmen facing Gangster Act proceedings. Overall, Mukhtar Ansari was indeed a target for the Yogi government.
