Indian shooter and politician
Abbas Ansari (born 12 February 1992) is a convicted criminal[1] and an Indian politician. He is the elder son of politician Mukhtar Ansari. Abbas Ansari won the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election from Mau representing Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party.[2]
Background
Ansari is the great-grandson of Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari[3] who was an Indian freedom fighter, a political leader and former president of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League during the Indian Independence Movement. One of the founders of the Jamia Millia Islamia University, he remained its Chancellor from 1928 to 1936.[4]
His uncles, Afzal Ansari and Sibgatullah Ansari, have been very active in Indian politics and have held various positions in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.[5]
Apart from being the current MLA of Mau,[6] he is a sports shooter, in shotgun shooting and won many awards in national shooting competitions as well as represented India in International events.[7][8]
Arrest and Incarceration
Abbas Ansari was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with money laundering and other unlawful activities and as of 2024 is serving a jail sentence.[9]
During his incarceration, Abbas Ansari used to illegally spend time with his wife, Nikhat Ansari, within the prison premises.[10][11] It has come to light that he conducted his business operations from behind bars using his wife's mobile phones. Following Nikhat Ansari's arrest, authorities recovered two mobile phones along with Dirham currency notes, gold jewelry, and food items.[12]
Furthermore, an examination of call records revealed contacts with various contractors, builders, and real estate firm owners. Abbas Ansari allegedly communicated with them, orchestrating his illicit activities from jail, particularly after heightened security measures were implemented around his father, Mukhtar Ansari.[13]
