SC grants bail to MLA Abbas Ansari in money laundering case
New Delhi, Oct 18: The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to MLA Abbas Ansari in connection with a money laundering case registered with the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Ansari is the son of gangster-politician and former MLA Mukhtar Ansari, who died in jail a few months ago.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Pankaj Mithal gave the relief to Ansari.
The apex court had on August 14 issued notice to the ED and sought its reply on the appeal filed by Ansari challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court, which rejected his bail.
Another bench of the top court had granted bail to Ansari in a separate case registered against him for allegedly using his wife's cellphone during her jail visit, to threaten the witnesses and officials, who were connected to the prosecution against him.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan had said the investigation had culminated in a chargesheet.
"Having regard to the fact that the investigation is complete, chargesheet has already been filed and the petitioner has been in custody for more than 1.5 years in the instant case. Keeping in view the fact that the conclusion of trial will take some reasonable time, however, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court," the bench said.
Ansari was lodged in Chitrakoot District Jail when his wife along with the driver and co-accused Niyaz visited him and he allegedly used a cellphone to threaten witnesses and extort money.
In the ED case, the high court had dismissed Ansari's bail plea on May 9.
The agency had registered a case against Ansari, a Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party MLA, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, on the basis of three previous cases.
Ansari was booked in this case on November 4, 2022.
The Mau MLA is currently lodged in the Kasganj Jail.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
