UP police conduct raids to trace Mukhtar Ansari’s wife, son

While his wife Afsha Ansari is wanted in several cases, including those registered under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, his son Umar Ansari is wanted in a hate speech case lodged in Mau during the 2022 assembly elections.

In the hate speech case, Umar was booked along with his elder brother Abbas Ansari, who won the Assembly election from Mau Sadar seat, and 150 unidentified persons for allegedly threatening government officials during a public meeting in Mau in March last year.

Abbas had contested on the ticket of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) which was in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

“We are conducting raids to trace Umar Ansari in a hate speech case,” said Mau Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mahesh Singh Attri. No reward has been announced on Umar so far, he added.

However, Afsha Ansari is carrying a reward of Rs 75,000.

Mau Circle Officer Dhananjay Mishra said the non-bailable warrant was issued has been issued against Umar for not appearing in the court in the hate speech case.

According to state police records, Umar has six cases against him – four lodged at different police stations of Mau and one each at Ghazipur and Lucknow districts. Of the six cases, four are linked to the violation of model code of conduct while one each is of cheating and hate speech.

The police say that chargesheets have been filed in all the six cases and trial has begun.

In the Lucknow case, Umar was booked along with Abbas and father Mukhtar for allegedly acquiring “enemy property” in Jiamau area in a fraudulent manner.

Hazratganj Station House Officer Akhilesh Chandra Mishra said chargesheet has been filed in the case.

The state police claimed to have written to the central agencies (CBI and immigration department) requesting them to issue a lookout notice against Afsha Ansari, who has 11 cases against her. The first case against her was lodged in 2020 on charges of cheating and damage to property at the Dakshin Tola police station.

Mukhtar’s other family members who are lodged in jail include his elder brother Afzal Ansari, elder son Abbas and brothers-in-law Atif Raza and Sharjil Raza, alias Anwar Shahzad.