The Supreme Court granted Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari interim bail on March 7, 2025, in a case under the Gangsters Act, while mandating he remain in his Lucknow accommodation. He can only travel to his constituency of Mau with prior police and court notice and is barred from leaving Uttar Pradesh without permission. The court directed the State Police to submit a conduct report by May 16 and prohibited Ansari from making public statements about his ongoing cases. Ansari, already on bail in other matters, was detained in 2024 amid concerns he might intimidate witnesses.
Abbas Ansari. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Supreme Court authorized interim bail for Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari on Friday (March 7, 2025) in a case related to the Gangsters Act, while mandating that he remain in his official residence in Lucknow.
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A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant instructed Mr. Ansari to inform both the police and the trial court before traveling to his constituency in Mau. He is prohibited from leaving Uttar Pradesh without obtaining permission from the trial court.
Instructing the State Police to submit a status report on his behavior by May 16, the next hearing date, the Bench prohibited the MLA from making any public remarks regarding ongoing cases against him in various courts. He is currently involved in multiple criminal proceedings.
Multiple cases
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Nizam Pasha represented Mr. Ansari. Mr. Sibal noted that his client was already out on bail in other cases but was required to remain in custody due to this ongoing case.
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the State, argued that being on bail in prior cases does not justify granting bail for this current case, emphasizing that each case must be assessed on its individual merits.
The Bench stated that Mr. Ansari’s right to defend himself would not be compromised in any cases against him.
This specific case was filed in Chitrakoot district on August 31 of last year under the U.P. Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The MLA was taken into custody on September 6, 2024.
During the proceedings, Mr. Nataraj contended that the petitioner might use his influence to obstruct the trial and intimidate witnesses for the prosecution.
However, the Bench pointed out that the remaining witnesses to testify were police officers, who would likely be immune to any influence.
Additionally, the Bench indicated that the trial court may need to separate the trial of Mr. Ansari from that of his co-accused, who are currently evading the law, to expedite the proceedings.
The court emphasized that Mr. Ansari must not fail to appear before the trial court when required.
Published – March 07, 2025 03:54 pm IST