New Delhi, 13 January (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed and regularized its earlier order granting interim bail to Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in a case registered under the state's Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986.

A bench led by Justice Surya Kant upheld the interim relief, noting no misuse of liberty by Ansari, thereby paving the way for his continued release from custody. This decision marks a significant turn in Ansari's ongoing legal battles, as he now stands granted bail in all related matters except the core Gangsters Act proceedings.

The case originated from an FIR lodged on August 31, 2024, at Kotwali Karvi police station in Chitrakoot district against Ansari and others, accusing them of extortion and assault in violation of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act.

Despite the Allahabad High Court rejecting his bail plea on December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court intervened on March 7, 2025, granting six weeks of interim bail with stringent conditions, including residence in his official Lucknow accommodation, prior permission for constituency visits to Mau, restrictions on leaving Uttar Pradesh, and a prohibition on public statements about pending cases.

Ansari, a Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) legislator from Mau, had been in custody since his arrest under the Gangsters Act on September 6, 2024, while already on bail in other criminal matters; he was lodged in Kasganj Jail at the time.

Tuesday's ruling relaxed prior restrictions, such as allowing stays in Ghazipur during Mau visits following earlier modifications in May 2025, after Ansari's counsel argued logistical hardships.

The court took on record a confidential status report from the Uttar Pradesh government, confirming compliance with bail terms and no witness tampering or evidence interference.

Officials emphasized that while Ansari must continue cooperating with investigations and court appearances, the absence of violations justified converting the interim bail to absolute status. Legal experts view this as a procedural advancement, urging expedited trials to balance individual rights with public safety in high-profile gangsterism cases.

No immediate reaction came from the state government, which had opposed bail citing Ansari's criminal history involving multiple FIRs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar