UP: Govt orders judicial probe into Mukhtar's death, seeks report in one month

A judicial inquiry has been ordered by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Banda district in the death of mafia-turned-politician and former MLA Mukhtar Ansari on Friday, official sources said here.

Sources said that the inquiry was ordered by CJM Bhagwan Das Gupta on a letter sent by the Senior Superintendent of Banda district jail requesting to appoint an inquiry officer."The CJM has appointed Additional CJM (MP-MLA court) Garima as the inquiry officer," they said.

Sources said that the inquiry officer has been asked to complete the probe and submit the report within a month.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal has also ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. "While appointing Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Rajesh Kumar as the inquiry officer, she has asked him to submit his detailed report within a fortnight," they said.

It may be noted that Mukhtar (63), who was lodged in Banda district jail, was taken to RD Medical College on Thursday night after his health deteriorated. Mukhtar died due to cardiac arrest during treatment.So far, convicted in eight cases, the five time MLA had 65 cases lodged against him. After Mukhtar's death, his family alleged foul play.

UP: Mayawati, Akhilesh demand high-level probe into Mukhtar's death

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party (SP) president on Friday demanded a high-level probe into the death of mafia-turned-politician and former MLA Mukhtar Ansari.

Taking to X, Mayawati wrote, "A high-level inquiry is needed over the apprehensions and serious allegations being levelled by Mukhtar Ansari's family regarding his death in jail, so that the real cause of his death can be revealed. It is natural for his family to be sad in such a situation. May nature give them the strength to bear this sorrow."

SP chief Akhilesh wrote, "It is the first responsibility and duty of the government to protect someone's life in every situation and at every place. The death of a under trial or prisoner in any of the following circumstances will erode public confidence in the judicial process: while confined in the police station, in struggle inside the jail, on falling ill inside the jail, while being taken to court, while being taken to the hospital, during treatment in hospital, in false encounter, by pretending to commit suicide, and by showing casualties in an accident."

He said, "All such doubtful cases should be investigated under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. The way the government bypasses the judicial process and adopts other methods is completely illegal. A government that cannot protect life has no right to remain in power. Uttar Pradesh is going through the worst phase of 'government anarchy'. This is a 'zero hour of law and order' in UP.".(UNI)<>