MCC Violation: SC Grants Protection from Arrest to Umar Ansari

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted protection from arrest to Umar Ansari, the son of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in a criminal case filed against him during the 2022 assembly elections for an alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on his plea challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Ansari, argued that the main accused had already been granted regular bail in the matter. The Allahabad High Court, on December 19 last year, had rejected Umar Ansari’s anticipatory bail application, stating that considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the offence was made out.

An FIR was registered on March 4, 2022, at Kotwali police station in Mau district against Abbas Ansari (SBSP candidate from Mau Sadar seat), Umar Ansari, and 150 unknown individuals. The FIR alleged that on March 3, 2022, at Pahadpura ground, during a public meeting organized by Mansoor Ahmad Ansari, Abbas Ansari and Umar Ansari called for settling a score with the Mau administration, constituting a violation of the election code of conduct.