Mukhtar Ansari, a former gangster-turned-politician, has passed away at the age of 63 in Uttar Pradesh, India. A five-time lawmaker, Ansari had been in jail since 2005, with his family disputing the official cause of death, alleging he was given a “poisonous substance” while incarcerated.
Following the news of Ansari’s death, security measures were heightened in Uttar Pradesh as crowds gathered outside his residence. Known for his criminal past, Ansari faced over 60 cases, including 15 murder charges, before transitioning into politics and winning his first state election in 1996.
In April 2023, Ansari was convicted for the murder of Krishnanand Rai, a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and was serving a 10-year sentence. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for a 1990 case involving fake arms licenses.
The circumstances surrounding Ansari’s death remain contentious, with jail authorities citing cardiac arrest as the cause. However, his brother Afzal Ansari alleged foul play, claiming Ansari was poisoned, recounting previous instances where he had fallen ill due to suspected poisoning.
Ansari had been hospitalized earlier in the week after a fall in the jail washroom but was discharged after 14 hours of treatment. His son, Umar Ansari, expressed dismay over the lack of communication from authorities regarding his father’s deteriorating health.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to ascertain the exact cause of Ansari’s death. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh police have implemented curfew orders and conducted flag marches in certain areas following the announcement of his passing.
