UP Government Shows Concern to Supreme Court Over Punjab Government's Support To Mukhtar Ansari

UP Government Shows Concern to Supreme Court Over Punjab Government's Support To Mukhtar Ansari

The Govt. of Uttar Pradesh (UP Govt.) raised the question before the Supreme Court of India (SC) as to why the Govt. of Punjab (Punjab Govt.) has been defending the terrorist cum gangster Mukhtar Ansari

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (UP Govt.) before the bench of the SC headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan and stated that Ansari is being 'vociferously defended by the State of Punjab'.

He raised the question that "How can the State of Punjab support Ansari so much? Affidavit of Punjab has much to be desired. It says that Ansari is suffering from depression. He is enjoying in Punjab jail."

It was alleged by the Solicitor General that the Punjab Govt. is 'supporting a terrorist'. He further added that "Ansari says he belongs to a family of a freedom fighter. He is a gangster. There are very serious cases pending and the trial of the same is pending in Uttar Pradesh. It's a question of serious significance. He has been facing serious charges where summons were issued. He got an FIR filed in Punjab and did not even file for bail there & is enjoying in Punjab."

A plea was filed by the UP Govt. before the SC Bench for seeking transfer of custody of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Mukhtar Ansari, from Punjab to UP to face trial in 14 cases that are pending against him.

Punjab Govt. recently asked the Top Court for rejecting the request of the UP Govt. of transferring Ansari. It urged the Court to reject the same and cited that Ansari is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, depression, back pain, and skin allergy.

Earlier the Apex Court had sought the Punjab Govt.'s and Ansari's response on the plea. The Court had also asked the Punjab Govt. and Ansari for filing a detailed reply on a pending case against him, on the status of the trial and his medical condition.

The UP Govt. had earlier told the Apex Court that there are serious charges against Ansari in UP. He has remained in Punjab for two years in a 'minor case'. It was argued by the UP Govt. that either Ansari should be transferred to UP to face trial, or the case in Punjab to be transferred to a UP Court if a chargesheet has been filed.

It was alleged by the UP Govt. that no chargesheet has been filed in Punjab yet against the gangster. The UP Govt.'s plea said, "Ansari trying to 'play with the federal structure" & misuse provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure."

Since 2019, the gangster remained in a Ropar jail in Punjab where he was named in an extortion case. He has not applied for bail yet in the FIR registered in Punjab and the police have also not filed any charge-sheet against him.

Several production warrants have been issued against Ansari however, Punjab Police did not let him shift to the UP on the grounds of his medical conditions. Ansari has apprehended a threat to his life in UP and sought to appear in cases through video conferencing only.

The UP Govt. has taken tough measures against him and people who are running illegal businesses under his name. It was further alleged that he has several illegal properties worth crores of rupees in Lucknow, Mau, and Ghazipur that have now been demolished by the state agencies.

The SC has posted the matter for hearing on 24 February 2021.