Days before Mukhtar Ansari's death, Court sought report from jail authorities over alleged poisoning
Lucknow: In a sequence of events shrouded in suspicion and allegations, the recent hospitalization and subsequent demise of convicted former legislator Mukhtar Ansari have sparked controversy and demands for a thorough investigation. Ansari, who was lodged in Banda jail in Uttar Pradesh, complained of abdominal pain and was hospitalized before his death, allegedly due to a cardiac arrest. However, his son, Umar Ansari, has raised serious concerns about foul play, citing instances of alleged poisoning and lapses in medical treatment.
A week prior to his hospitalization, Ansari had filed an application in a court in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, alleging that his meals had been poisoned on at least two occasions within 40 days. He claimed that the food provided to him in jail had been mixed with a poisonous substance, leading to severe illness. Additionally, Ansari stated that some jail staff, including those responsible for food tasting, also fell ill after consuming the same food. Subsequently, he sought a probe into the matter and requested adequate medical attention and security.
Ansari said after eating the food, he felt uneasy and felt pain in his limbs first and then in the rest of his body.
“My hands and feet turned cold. And it felt like I was about to die. I felt uneasiness. Before that, my health was completely fine,” said Ansari in his application.
He had further alleged that around 40 days before that, he was given a “slow poison” with his meal. Some jail members, including one who would taste his food before it was fed to him, also felt unwell and they all had to be treated, Ansari had alleged in his two-page application.
“The threat to my life in the jail has increased. Any untoward incident can happen to me at any time,” Ansari had said, alleging that his poisoning was part of “some big conspiracy”.
Upon receiving Ansari's application, special judge Kamal Kant Srivastava directed the Jail Superintendent in Banda to submit a report on Ansari's health and security by March 29. The court emphasized the need for proper medical examination and facilities for Ansari as per the jail manual. Furthermore, the court instructed the jail official to take necessary measures to ensure Ansari's safety.
On March 26, Ansari was admitted to the hospital after complaining of abdominal pain. His health deteriorated suddenly, leading to his transfer to Rani Durgavati Medical College. Despite initial treatment, Ansari succumbed to a cardiac arrest. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised suspicions, especially considering his earlier allegations of poisoning and concerns about his safety in jail.
Ansari’s son Umar Ansari had last year filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying that the state government was planning to assassinate Ansari in Banda jail, where he was lodged as a convict and accused in several criminal cases.
Umar Ansari had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court last December praying that his father be moved to a jail outside UP. On December 15, 2023, the Adityanath government assured the apex court that “necessary augmentation of security as needed will be made” to ensure that no harm was caused to Ansari while in custody. In his petition, Umar had expressed concern for his father’s well-being by drawing attention to the murder of former Lok Sabha MP and tainted politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad while they were being escorted by a team of policemen for a routine medical check-up in Prayagraj on April 15 last year. The Ahmad brothers were killed in front of reporters and the footage was relayed live on television.
Ansari's family, including his son Umar Ansari, has reiterated their allegations of foul play and demanded a thorough investigation into his death. Umar Ansari, in particular, highlighted the lack of access to his father during his hospitalization and expressed concerns about the handling of the case by authorities. Moreover, the past assurances by the Adityanath government regarding Ansari's security have come under scrutiny in light of recent events.
“I am nobody to make an allegation. The who was poisoned (Mukhtar) had himself alleged that he was given poison along with his dinner on March 19.” Umar said.
Various political leaders and organizations, including Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, have called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Ansari's death. They have criticized the state government for allegedly neglecting Ansari's health concerns and failing to address the serious allegations of poisoning.
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Upset over Cong not fielding any Muslim in Maharashtra, senior leader Khan writes to Kharge
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Congress working president Naseem Khan on Friday expressed disappointment over the party or the opposition bloc MVA not fielding any Muslim candidate for the Lok Sabha polls in the state and told AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge he was pulling out of campaigning.
In a letter to Kharge, Khan said he will not campaign for party candidates for remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls and is also resigning from the state Congress campaign committee.
The former state minister said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), of which the Congress is a key constituent, has not nominated a single Muslim candidate in Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh (80).
Many Muslim organisations, leaders and also party workers from all over Maharashtra were expecting the Congress to nominate at least one candidate from the minority community, but unfortunately this has not happened, he noted.
Now, they are asking "Congress ko Muslim vote chahiye, candidate kyun nahi (why Congress wants Muslim votes, but does not want to field any Muslim candidate)?" said the 60-year-old politician.
"I am also upset with this unfair decision of the Congress party. Before this, whenever the party gave me election responsibility in Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra and other states I executed it gracefully and with my full efforts," said Khan in the letter.
"I have no answers to Muslims and their organisations in Maharashtra raising such issues (not fielding candidate from the community). Therefore, I have decided not to campaign for the party during the Lok Sabha elections 2024," he said.
Khan said he is also resigning from the Maharashtra Congress Campaign Committee.
The Congress is contesting 17 out the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). They are constituents of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Speaking separately to PTI, Khan said the Congress it seems has deviated from its long held ideology of inclusivity.
The former cabinet minister said he was inundated with calls from organisations representing minorities and party workers from these social groups, asking why the Congress has ignored them while allotting tickets for elections in Maharashtra.
"I am unable to face questions of why injustice has been done (to minority groups). The party has deviated from its inclusive ideology and giving representation to all communities," said a miffed Khan.
The Maharashtra Congress working president was in race for a ticket from Mumbai North Central, but the party chose city unit president Varsha Gaikwad for the constituency.
Khan had lost the 2019 assembly elections from Chandivali in Mumbai by 409 votes.
