Former MLA Mukhtar Ansari gets five-year jail in Gangsters Act case
Lucknow, Sep 23: The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday sentenced former MLA Mukhtar Ansari to five-year imprisonment in a 23-year-old case related to the Gangsters Act.
Justice D K Singh passed the order overturning the acquittal by a special MP-MLA court in 2020. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Ansari.
The prosecution had presented a gang chart in the court as evidence against the former MLA.
"The special MP-MLA court grossly erred in acquitting Mukhtar. The gang chart was proved in the court as documentary evidence. Mukhtar is a gangster and he allegedly committed several offences, therefore, he is found guilty for offences under Section 2/3 of the Gangster Act," the court said.
State counsel Rao Narendra Singh said the case was lodged with Lucknow's Hazratganj police in 1999 and a special court had acquitted Ansari in 2020.
The state had filed an appeal against the acquittal in 2021.
Placing arguments on behalf of the state government, Additional Government Advocates UC Verma and Rao Narendra Singh said the Hazratganj SHO had lodged an FIR in 1999, alleging that Mukhtar and his associates committed heinous offences, including murder, extortion, kidnapping and abduction.
The FIR said his accomplice Suresh Kumar along with his three-four people was heard saying that gang member Abhay Singh had got a jail superintendent killed in the busy Hazratganj area of Lucknow.
It was further said that the gang members were dreaded criminals, who commit crime in an organised manner for accumulation of wealth.
They struck terror in hearts and minds of people and no one dared to lodge an FIR even against members of the gang, the complaint said.
General public felt insecure and lived in fear in Lucknow and adjoining areas, added the FIR.
Accepting arguments of the prosecution lawyers, Justice Singh said, "If the prosecution proves that the person belongs to a gang and indulges himself in committing offence with object of disturbing public order or of gaining any undue temporal and pecuniary material or other advantage for himself or any other person, he may be punished under the Gangsters Act."
On Wednesday, Mukhtar Ansari was awarded seven-year jail in another case for threatening a jailer and pointing a pistol at him.
In 2003, the then Lucknow district prison jailer SK Awasthi had lodged an FIR with the Alambagh police alleging that he was threatened for ordering a search of people who came to meet Ansari.
A trial court had acquitted Ansari in this case also.
Mukhtar Ansari is currently lodged in the Banda jail.
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Hundreds of TVK supporters return disappointed from cancelled swearing in ceremony venue
Chennai (PTI): Hundreds of TVK supporters, fuelled by the hope of seeing their leader Vijay as chief minister, gathered at Nehru Indoor Stadium in the city on Thursday, only to be met with locked gates and a lack of information regarding the scheduled proceedings.
Many supporters, travelling from various parts of the state, near and far, like Arumbakkam and Coimbatore, expressed deep disappointment and confusion upon finding the premises closed and without official communication.
Speaking to PTI Videos, fans and party loyalists described a sense of heartbreak after arriving early to secure a place in line.
Charulatha, a supporter, noted the emotional toll of the situation: "We came with so much joy thinking he would become the chief minister today, but there is nothing here. The gates are closed. It is very painful."
Sai Deepika, her daughter and a student set to enter the 12th grade, shared her excitement for the event: "I was very excited to be here. I have been telling everyone he will win and do good things for the people."
A visibly distressed Gunasundari, a long-time political observer from a family of AIADMK supporters, stated she shifted her loyalty to Vijay: "I publicly say I voted for Vijay. I have a belief that he will help those in need. Seeing the gates closed like this is a shock."
Despite the confusion on the ground, the gathered crowd remained steadfast in their political choice. Several supporters highlighted Vijay’s decision to fund party activities independently as a key reason for their trust.
"He didn't take a single rupee from the people for his flag or the stage. He did it all himself," said an emotional Gunasundari. "Even if they try to shame him or create obstacles, he is the one who will eventually win."
Many attendees cited news reports and social media claims as their reason for arriving early on Thursday morning. Some supporters mentioned they had travelled via public transport and waited for hours under the impression that an official declaration or event was imminent.
"My son told me that declarations were made yesterday and everyone was coming today," Gunasundari added. "I didn't even tell him I was leaving; I just started my journey to see him in person for the first time".
