Once feared and now faced with mortality, preparations are underway in Ghazipur for the burial of the once-powerful mafia don Mukhtar Ansari. In what once could have been considered his lair, Mukhtar's family now readies for his final rites. Meanwhile, Ghazipur's law enforcement has fortified the area with robust security measures in place, including the enactment of Section 144. It's anticipated that Mukhtar's body will arrive from Banda to Ghazipur overnight, with burial scheduled post-morning prayers.
Spanning decades, the stories connected to Mukhtar are varied and dark - from sinking ponds inside jail walls to acquiring stolen military-grade weapons. Notably, one tale recounts a serious confrontation between the UP Government and the Punjab Government, when both states stood against each other, battling over Mukhtar's custody. With a judgment by the Supreme Court, Mukhtar's pampered stay at Punjab's jail ceased, leading to his shift to Banda Jail.
Source: aajtak
The saga begins in 2017, with the BJP's Yogi government taking the helm in UP, and the end days for high-profile criminals operating from behind bars seemed to be on the horizon. As a part of this cleanse, Munna Bajrangi, once Mukhtar's sharpshooter, and an accused in the Krishnanand Rai murder case, was transferred to Bapagat Jail, where he was murdered on July 9, 2018.
When Fear Struck Mukhtar Ansari in UP Jail
Panic set in for Mukhtar following Bajrangi's death. Struck by the fear of the unpredictable in UP's jails, Mukhtar suddenly became embroiled in a case where he was alleged to have extorted a Punjab businessman. The Punjab Police took the matter to court, which eventually led to Mukhtar being transferred to Ropar Jail on January 24, 2019, where he enjoyed a comfortable stay.
Source: aajtak
Two State Governments Faced Off in Supreme Court
On the other end, the UP government consistently appealed in court for Mukhtar's return. The face-off between the UP and Punjab governments in the Supreme Court was intense, with each side presenting crucial arguments regarding why his custody was vital for ongoing cases. Accusations were even made suggesting Punjab was protecting Mukhtar. Finally, on March 26, 2021, the Supreme Court directed Punjab to transfer Mukhtar's custody to UP within two weeks. He was securely moved to Banda Jail via road early April 2021.
Accusations of 55 Lakhs Spent by Punjab Government
In 2022, with a change of power in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party formed the government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the preceding Amarinder government of providing Mukhtar with special arrangements in jail and spending 55 lakh rupees in legal fees for his stay. AAP's government has sought to recover this amount from former CM Captain Amarinder Singh and former Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. The notice claimed that a senior lawyer had been appointed to contest Mukhtar Ansari's transfer, presenting a bill of 55 lakh rupees, of which 17.60 lakh had already been paid.
