DELHI (Diya TV) — Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari passed away at a hospital in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday, March 28. Ansari, convicted for the 2005 murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, had been serving a 10-year sentence. In response to his death, Krishnanand Rai’s wife, Alka Rai, expressed relief, stating, “Justice has been served.”

Alka Rai conveyed her sentiments, saying, “This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice, and it has been served today.” She added that they refrained from celebrating Holi after her husband’s demise, considering it a day of joy for those orphaned due to Ansari’s actions

Addressing queries about Ansari’s demise, Alka Rai dismissed them as baseless. Meanwhile, Krishnanand Rai’s son, Piyush Rai, mentioned receiving blessings from spiritual figures Baba Vishwanath and Baba Gorakhnath.

However, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati called for a high-level investigation into Ansari’s death, considering the allegations made by his family. Ansari’s brother, MP Afzal, claimed Ansari had been poisoned in jail, leading to deteriorating health.

Mukhtar Ansari, aged 63, served as an MLA for Uttar Pradesh’s Mau Sadar constituency multiple times and held significant influence in Ghazipur. He had been imprisoned in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh since 2005, facing over sixty criminal cases.

Security measures escalated across Uttar Pradesh following Ansari’s demise. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were enforced, and additional security personnel deployed in districts like Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi.

The family alleged Ansari had been “slow-poisoned” in Banda jail. A panel of doctors is set to conduct his postmortem. Ansari’s death sparked tensions, prompting authorities to heighten vigilance to prevent any unrest.

The late gangster-turned-politician wielded considerable political influence, serving as an MLA under various party affiliations. His passing marks the end of a controversial era in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.

In response to the situation, the Uttar Pradesh Police, assisted by the Central Reserve Police Force, remains on high alert to curb any potential disturbances. The circumstances surrounding Ansari’s demise warrant thorough investigation to ascertain the truth behind his untimely death.