Why Mukhtar Ansari’s Death Sparked A Controversy

Why Mukhtar Ansari’s death sparked a controversy

Mukhtar died following a cardiac arrest on Thursday evening. Image Credit: PTI

Mukhtar Ansari, the renowned politician in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, died of cardiac arrest. But the circumstances of his death’s have been the subject of debate.

The facts

A controversial figure

Ansari’s life was characterised by his transformation from a well-known criminal to an experienced politician. Despite his criminal history, he entered politics with success and rose to become an Uttar Pradesh congressman five times.

Legal trouble

Legal disputes entwined with Ansari’s political career. In addition to 15 murder allegations, he was involved in nearly 60 criminal cases. He was found guilty in April 2023 of killing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician Krishnanand Rai, and he received a 10-year prison sentence. In addition, he was recently sentenced to life in prison for a 1990 case involving forged firearms licences.

The arguments

Suspicisous circumstances of death

Controversy has been generated by the circumstances surrounding Ansari’s passing. Although the police believe it was a cardiac arrest, his family suspects foul play and says he was poisoned while incarcerated. Mukhtar had complained about receiving a deadly substance in his food, and similar events had happened in the past, according to his brother, Afzal Ansari.

Medical attention and allegations

Ansari reportedly complained of vomiting and was brought to the hospital, where he was seen by a group of nine physicians. His family, however, is adamant that he was poisoned and cites other cases of suspected poisoning.

Security measures and curfew orders

Uttar Pradesh’s security measures were tightened after Ansari’s death; police marched with flags and curfews were imposed in some regions. Crowds gathered outside Ansari’s home, and the scene remained tense.

Questions remain unanswered

Umar Ansari, the son of Ansari, expressed his dissatisfaction with the authorities’ lack of communication about his father’s condition. There appears to have been a lack of transparency in the way the case was handled, as he claimed to have learnt of the worsening health from media reports.

Post-mortem and further investigation

An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted to determine the exact cause of Ansari’s death, which may shed light on the disputed circumstances surrounding it. The incident has raised questions about the treatment of prisoners and the efficacy of the criminal justice system in addressing such cases.

Mukhtar Ansari’s demise marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape, leaving behind a legacy tarnished by controversy and legal battles.