Who is Mukhtar Ansari? The dreaded gangster-turned Uttar Pradesh politician who is accused of several heinous crimes

A special police team left for Punjab on Monday to take custody of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and bring him back from the Ropar jail to Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail. This comes after the Supreme Court's orders dated March 26 to the Punjab government to hand over Ansari back to Uttar Pradesh Police within two weeks, ignoring pleas of the Punjab government.

Who is Mukhtar Ansari?

Mukhtar Ansari, a history-sheeter, is the BSP MLA from the UP's Mau constituency. He has now become a prime figure for UP’s Banda Jail. He is to be transferred from Punjab’s Rupnagar jail, before April 8 on the orders of the Supreme Court.

What are the cases against Mukhtar Ansari?

Ansari is currently lodged in the Ropar jail of Punjab. He has been booked under extortion (Section 386 of the Indian Penal Code) and criminal intimidation (Section 506 of the IPC) on the complaint of the CEO of Homeland Group, who had alleged that he got a call from a person who introduced himself as “ some Ansari from UP” and demanded 10 crores if he didn’t want his family to suffer.

Ansari has 38 cases lodged against him at Ghazipur police station in UP and also in Lucknow and Mau. He is also accused in the murder of BJP MLA Krishna Nanda Rai, whose wife and BJP MLA Alka Rai had recently written in a letter to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accusing the Congress government in Punjab of helping Ansari evade court proceedings.

Why the Punjab government wasn't ready to transfer him?

The Punjab government wasn't ready to transfer him to UP stating that his health status doesn’t allow him to travel. It was mentioned that he is suffering from back pain and high sugar levels. The department said that they are bound to follow the recommendations of the medical team.