The Supreme Court has termed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Mukhtar Ansari as a dreaded criminal, who had many criminal cases pending against him
The Bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal made this observation on Tuesday, while hearing a petition filed by Ansari against his conviction under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Apex Court allowed Ansari time to file a rejoinder affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on April 2.
Ansari had moved the top court of the country against the September 2022 verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, which sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
The case pertained to a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against Ansari in 1999 stating that he had a gang which committed heinous offences, including murder, extortion, kidnapping, and abduction.
As per the FIR, Ansari struck terror in the hearts and minds of the people and no one dared to lodge an FIR even against members of his gang. Therefore, the general public felt insecure and lived in fear in Lucknow and adjoining areas.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh had set aside the 2020 order passed by the Special Judge, MP/MLA cases, which had acquitted the BSP MLA. The High Court further imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him.
Ansari then filed an application before the Apex Court. In October last year, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government in the matter.
Appearing for the State, Uttar Pradesh Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad contended on Tuesday that Ansari had spread a ‘reign of terror’ prior to his conviction.
Noting that the BSP MLA was behind bars now, the Bench adjourned the matter.