Mukhtar Ansari’s funeral was held today and he was buried in the family cemetery in Uttar Pradesh

Ghazipur, U.P.:

The funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari will be held today amid tight security in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. After the autopsy was completed at the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda district, Mr. Ansari’s body was transported to his hometown Ghazipur, covering a distance of 400 kilometers.

A convoy of 26 vehicles, including 24 police vehicles and the ambulance carrying Mr Ansari’s body, passed through Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Kaushambi and Varanasi, before reaching Ghazipur, where Mr. Ansari’s legacy is both feared and revered.

Mr Ansari’s sons Umar Ansari and Abbas Ansari and the latter’s wife were in the ambulance during the journey, accompanied by two cousins. Considering Mr Ansari’s notorious past and the sensitivity of the situation, the Uttar Pradesh government had security concerns in mind while planning the route.

The Ansaris have designated the family cemetery in Mohammad Dabad Qali Bagh as the final resting place of the former leader. Heavy security was deployed in Ghazipur and surrounding areas in preparation for the funeral.

family accusations

Despite security arrangements, Ansari’s death remains controversial. His family claimed he suffered “slow poisoning” while incarcerated. However, an autopsy conducted by a team of five doctors from the Rani Durgavati Medical College confirmed that Ansari, 68, died of a heart attack, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

His family claimed they did not learn of his death directly but learned about it through the media.

Mr Ansari’s life has been marred by controversy and legal troubles. In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in using forged documents to obtain weapons licenses.

Criminal record

His first encounter with law enforcement was when he was 15 years old. Since then, his criminal record has increased dramatically, with a staggering 65 cases against him ranging from murder to extortion.

However, Ansari’s notoriety did not stop him from entering politics. He was elected as MLA of UP five times, representing different political parties.

Although Mr Ansari’s criminal record has escalated over the years, he has continued to exert political influence, even founding his own political party, the Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED), and securing electoral victories. However, his criminal behavior eventually caught up with him, with numerous convictions and ongoing trials.