Gangster Turned Politician Mukhtar Ansari Gets A Life Term In A 36-Year-Old Fake Arms License Case

Mukhtar Ansari faces approximately 60 pending cases across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, New Delhi, and other states, with convictions in at least seven instances.

On March 13, Wednesday, Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced to life imprisonment in a 36-year-old fake arms license case by a special MP/MLA court in Varanasi. The court had convicted the former gangster-turned-politician on March 12, setting March 13 as the date for pronouncing the quantum of punishment. During the proceedings, Mukhtar Ansari appeared via videoconferencing from Banda jail, where he is currently incarcerated.

After a thorough review, Special Judge (MP-MLA) Avnish Gautam found Mukhtar guilty under sections 428 (mischief), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and section 30 of the Arms Act, stated Singh.

The case dates back to June 10, 1987, when Mukhtar Ansari applied for a double-barrel gun license from the district magistrate of Ghazipur. The license was later obtained using forged signatures of the district magistrate and the superintendent of police.

Upon discovery of the fraud on December 4, 1990, the CB-CID filed a complaint, leading to the registration of a case against five individuals, including Mukhtar Ansari, at Mohadabad police station, Ghazipur.

The charge sheet was presented to the court in 1997, implicating the then ordnance clerk Gaurishankar Srivastava and Mukhtar Ansari. Gaurishankar Srivastava passed away during the trial. The prosecution recorded statements from 10 witnesses in the case.

According to police officials, Mukhtar Ansari faces about 60 pending cases in various jurisdictions, with convictions in at least seven cases so far.