Mukhtar Ansari's death reportedly due to heart attack; Cremation today, massive security preparations in UP

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh gang leader and former BSP MLA Mukhtar Ansari passed away reportedly due to a heart attack as indicated by the post-mortem report. He was admitted to a hospital in Banda district after experiencing abdominal pain and was subsequently placed in the ICU. Ansari passed away at Rani Durgavati Medical College at 8:30 pm on Thursday. His brother, Gazipur MP Afzal Ansari who visited the hospital, claimed that he was denied proper treatment.

Sources at Rani Durgavati Medical College stated that a panel of five doctors conducted the post-mortem, revealing the cause of death to be a heart attack. Ansari's youngest son Umar Ansari was present during the procedure. Ansari's body was brought to the hospital late yesterday evening.

In anticipation of potential unrest, heavy security measures have been implemented in the area. A state-wide curfew was imposed following Ansari's demise, with additional security deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi. A magisterial inquiry has been initiated into Ansari's death. Despite the son's request for a post-mortem at AIIMS, Delhi, it was declined. Umar also reiterated that his father's death was not natural.

Ansari had been incarcerated since 2005, serving a life sentence for his involvement in a case related to the production of fake gun licenses. Additionally, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in a 34-year-old case by a special court in Varanasi that deals with cases involving public figures.

Ansari, a five-time MLA from Mau district, was implicated in using a firearm license with forged signatures of the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. Awadesh Rai, the brother of Congress leader Ajay Rai was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case involving Ansari. Ansari faced accusations in over 60 criminal cases and has been convicted in more than eight. His name was among the 66 gangsters listed by the Uttar Pradesh police last year.