Mukhtar Ansari, a jailed mafia don, has been convicted in another case involving the threat to Mahavir Prasad Rungta, brother of coal businessman Nand Kishore Rungta back in 1997. This marks the eighth recent conviction for Ansari, including a life term for the murder of Awadhesh Rai in Varanasi.
The special MP-MLA court sentenced Ansari to five years and six months' imprisonment, coupled with a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional two months of punishment. However, the verdict awaits Mukhtar Ansari's signature as he is currently incarcerated in Banda jail.
During the court proceedings on Thursday, Ansari's statement was recorded through video conferencing from Banda jail. The case traces back to the kidnapping of Nand Kishore Rungta in 1997, followed by a threat to Mahavir Prasad Rungta on November 5 of the same year, warning against pursuing the kidnapping case. Consequently, an intimidation case was filed against Mukhtar Ansari at the Bhelupur police station on December 1, 1997.
Key Points:
1. Jailed mafia don Mukhtar Ansari faced a conviction in a 1997 case involving the threat to Mahavir Prasad Rungta, the brother of coal businessman Nand Kishore Rungta. This marks Ansari's eighth recent conviction, including a life sentence for the murder of Awadhesh Rai in Varanasi.
2. The court handed Ansari a five-year and six-month imprisonment, coupled with a Rs 10,000 fine. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional two-month punishment. However, the official verdict awaits Mukhtar Ansari's signature, as he is currently detained in Banda jail.
3. Special Chief Judicial Magistrate Ujjwal Upadhyay delivered the judgment on Friday. The accused, Mukhtar Ansari, provided his statement via video conferencing from Banda jail during the court proceedings.
4. The case stems from the abduction of coal businessman Nand Kishore Rungta in 1997, with the subsequent threat directed at his brother, Mahavir Prasad Rungta, warning against pursuing the kidnapping case.
5. Consequently, a case of intimidation against Mukhtar Ansari was lodged in Bhelupur police station on December 1, 1997, based on the ultimatum given to Mahavir Prasad Rungta regarding the kidnapping case.
UP Government Commits to Heightening Mukhtar Ansari's Security, Vows Necessary Measures if Required, Assures SC
On Friday, the Uttar Pradesh government provided assurance to the Supreme Court concerning the security of Mukhtar Ansari, a former gangster now in politics, amidst claims by his son of a potential assassination plot in Banda Jail before the 2024 elections.
Acknowledging the government's assurance through Additional Solicitor General K.M. Natraj, the bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy documented the commitment that Uttar Pradesh authorities would reinforce security measures within the jail premises to safeguard Ansari.
Post this assurance, the bench, including Justice Sanjay Karol, postponed the hearing, as Natraj conveyed the need to consult the state government regarding the plea for transferring Ansari to a jail outside Uttar Pradesh.
The case is scheduled for further proceedings on January 16 next year.
Previously, the Additional Solicitor General had urged the court to dismiss the plea outright, citing its political nature in requesting a transfer to a non-BJP governed state jail.
Consequently, the Supreme Court directed senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioner, to revise the petition accordingly.
In the Article 32 plea presented to the apex court, Mukhtar Ansari’s son alleged a plot involving "state officials, rival politicians, and individuals within the police establishment" aimed at assassinating his father. Ansari, a five-term Member of the Legislative Assembly from Uttar Pradesh’s Mau, is perceived as being targeted due to his oppositional political affiliation.
The petition underscored a concerning trend of extrajudicial killings in Uttar Pradesh, referencing incidents like the televised killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother, citing a pattern that raised alarms about the safety of individuals in custody.
(With Agency Inputs)
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