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Parthiv Roy Chowdhury,
Sister Nivedita University
The family of controversial politician and former criminal Mukhtar Ansari made an appeal to the Supreme Court of India for a probe into his suspicious death. Ansari, who was lodged in Banda jail in Uttar Pradesh, died on 19 July in a manner his family believes requires further investigation.
Allegations of Poisoning and Neglect
Abbas Ansari, the son of Mukhtar Ansari, came to the fore to claim that his father was poisoned through his diet and that proper treatment was denied to him, leading to an untimely death. "My father did not die a natural death," Abbas told the journalists. Treatment was deliberately denied to him, while poison was administered systematically. We demand that the Supreme Court properly probe the occurrence to reveal the truth.
Abbas Ansari based his allegations on what he termed as "evidence" regarding the health of his ailing father and the suspicious behaviour of jail staff before his death. Abbas further went on to say that despite apparent signs of uneasiness, expressed through continual complaining, the officials at the jail did nothing to address the problems in his health. We suspect that his food was interfered with, resulting in poisoning.
Background and Context
Criminal cases regarding murder, kidnapping, and extortion existed against the five-time MLA from Mau constituency, Mukhtar Ansari. Yet, he continued to hold a strong political influence across Uttar Pradesh. After several legal battles and shifting between prisons in the name of security concerns and threats to his life, finally, he was finally sent to Banda jail.
The demise of Ansari stirred a hornet's nest in the Uttar Pradesh political and criminal scene, sparking concerns over the handling of high-profile prisoners and the prison system.
Family's Call for Justice
The Ansari family sought the highest form of legal redress to attain justice. Abbas Ansari underscored that transparency and accountability should follow in the circumstances of his father's death. We have lost a guardian, a shining star, and a voice of many in society. He emphasized that they would fight until the culprits behind this heinous crime were brought to book.
Abbas finally knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court and sought an independent probe into his father's death. The petition documents consisted of the alleged harassment besides what the family claimed to be evidence of poisoning and medical negligence. The apex court took up the petition amidst growing public and political pressure.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
Mukhtar Ansari's death and its aftermath generated different reactions in political outfits. The opposition asked for an inquiry into the death, and some even smelled a political conspiracy in Ansari's murder.
Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party posted on Twitter: "Deeply concerned over the death of Ansari and the safety and rights of other detainees." He also said an impartial probe into the "serious" allegations levelled by family members of Ansari was needed. He was in support of the family's agitation for justice.
The ruling party, BJP however, suggested caution and rightfully believed in an equitable and thorough investigation. "We should await the outcome of the thorough investigation underway before jumping to any conclusion," said a seasoned BJP functionary. The party seemed fully aware of the seriousness of the allegations and called for a proper investigation into them.
Legal and Medical Examination
Ansari's death and the subsequent allegations have evoked a variety of reactions from various political camps. While the opposition parties sought an exhaustive probe, some leaders even said that the death could be a political fallout.
In a tweet, Samajwadi Party Leader Akhilesh Yadav said, "Mukhtar Ansari's death raises many questions vis-à-vis safety and rights of prisoners. Grave charges levelled by his family have to be probed neutrally. We stand by the demand for justice made by the Ansari family.".
The BJP has, on the other hand, appealed for caution and patience and said justice should be done through an impartial inquiry. The allegations are serious and must be inquired into in detail. A top BJP leader also remarked that speculation must be avoided till the outcome of the official probe is known.
The Road Ahead
With the country watching, the Supreme Court got ready to study the petition. All the facts in this investigation were very important, not only for the Ansari family but also for broader issues on prisoner rights and judicial supervision in India.
Going by the post-mortem examination reports, former legislator and criminal convict, Mukhtar Ansari succumbed to cardiac arrest on March 28, 2024. His family’s allegations, however, are of foul play in his death, stating that he was given "slow poisoning" and that he had been denied proper treatment in jail at Banda. The accusations have risen for a Supreme Court inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
REFERENCES
1. ABP News Bureau, Mukhtar Ansari Death: UP Court Orders Probe After Son Claims Father 'Poisoned' In Jail — Top Points, ABP LIVE (July 19, 2024, 10:00 AM), https://news.abplive.com/states/up-uk/mukhtar-ansari-death-news-probe-orderedfollowing-allegation-of-mukhtar-ansari-being-poisoned-in-jail-key-points-1675762
2. HT News Desk, Mukhtar Ansari's death: 'My father was given slow poison’, claims son
Umar Ansari, HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 19, 2024, 12:30 PM),
3. Shweta Kumari, Mukhtar Ansari died of heart attack, confirms autopsy amid 'slow poison' claims, INDIA TODAY (July 19, 2024, 2:00 PM),
4. Hans News Service, Son Umar Ansari to Supreme Court: Poisoned food given to Mukhtar, denied requisite treatment, HANS INDIA (July 19 ,2024, 4:35 PM), https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/son-umar-ansari-to-supreme-courtpoisoned-food-given-to-mukhtar-denied-requisite-treatment-892319?infinitescroll=1
5. Debby Jain, Mukhtar Ansari Death | 'His Food Was Poisoned And Medical Treatment Withheld': Son Tells Supreme Court, Seeks Enquiry, LIVE LAW (July 19, 2024, 6:30 PM),https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-mukhtar-ansari-death-sonsays-he-was-poisoned-prays-for-enquiry-263393
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