In a notable judicial shift, the Supreme Court revoked it’s earlier directive mandating law enforcement to conclude their investigation into MLA Abbas Ansari under the Gangsters Act within 10 days.
Instead, the Court sought clarification on whether any investigative proceedings against him remained pending.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh adjourned the case to March 6. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Ansari, contended that the investigation had already been completed and a chargesheet had been duly filed under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act.
He further alleged that the state had misrepresented the status of the case by submitting an inaccurate affidavit asserting that the investigation was still ongoing.
Appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj sought further time to provide additional clarifications.
Earlier in the day, the bench had instructed the Uttar Pradesh Police to accelerate and finalize their investigation into Ansari’s alleged offenses, emphasizing that his bail application would only be considered upon the formal closure of the probe.
On January 31, citing concerns about a potential extrajudicial killing, Ansari petitioned the trial court for permission to attend proceedings virtually in connection with the case under the Gangsters Act.
This followed the Allahabad High Court’s December 18, 2024, ruling, which denied his bail request on the grounds that he, along with multiple co-accused, was implicated in orchestrating a criminal network for financial and other illicit advantages.
The case originated from an FIR filed on August 31, 2024, at Kotwali Karvi Police Station in Chitrakoot district under Sections 2 and 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The accused individuals—Ansari, Navneet Sachan, Niyaz Ansari, Faraz Khan, and Shahbaz Alam Khan—were charged with extortion and assault.
Ansari, a legislator representing the Mau constituency under the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, was apprehended on September 6, 2024. The Allahabad High Court, in its ruling rejecting his bail plea, underscored that the investigation was still active at that time.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
