Who was Mukhtar Ansari? Know everything about dreaded gangster who faced over 65 criminal cases?

Mukhtar Ansari

Mukhtar Ansari, the five time MLA from Uttar Pradeshs Mau, died of cardiac arrest on Thursday evening.

Family connection with India's freedom struggle

He was born into a family renowned for its contributions to Indias freedom movement and post-independence political landscape.

Despite the noble legacy, Mukhtar chose different path

Despite the noble legacy, Mukhtar Ansari chose a path markedly different. His criminal career began in the 1980s amidst the lawlessness of Purvanchal, a region notorious for its criminal gangs vying for government contracts.

First brush with serious crime

Ansaris first brush with serious crime was linked to the murder of Sachchidanand Rai in 1988 over a land dispute in Ghazipur.

Robin Hood figure

Despite his notoriety, Ansari transitioned into politics, levaraging his influence to secure a seat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Mau constituency five times since 1996. Ansaris political career was characterized by its duality. While he was seen by some as a Robin Hood figure, others viewed him through the lens of criminal activities.

Criminal cases

He faced over 60 criminal cases, 16 of them for murder. The first case lodged against him was in 1978 and the first murder case in 1986.

Conviction

Ansari was in jail from 2005 in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states for one or the other criminal case. In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisionment for killing BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court.