Indian ex-gangster and politician, Mukhtar Ansari, aged 63, passed away due to cardiac arrest in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, sparking controversy surrounding his death.
Ansari, a former gang leader turned lawmaker, had been incarcerated since 2005, with his family alleging foul play in his demise, claiming he was poisoned while in prison.
Having amassed over 60 criminal cases, including 15 murder charges, Ansari transitioned into politics, representing his home constituency of Mau from 1996 until 2022.
In April 2023, he was convicted for the murder of Krishnanand Rai, a BJP lawmaker, and received a 10-year sentence. Earlier this month, he was handed a life sentence for a 1990 case involving fake arms licenses.
Jail authorities in Banda district reported Ansari’s hospitalization after complaints of vomiting, with medical efforts proving futile against the cardiac arrest that led to his demise.
While Ansari’s brother, Afzal Ansari, accused authorities of poisoning him, alleging repeated attempts on his life, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain contentious.
Ansari’s son, Umar Ansari, expressed dismay over the lack of communication from authorities regarding his father’s health, adding to the controversy surrounding the incident.
