Who Is Afshan Ansari, Wife Of Jailed Gangster-Turned-MLA Mukhtar Ansari?

Mukhtar Ansari wife: Afshan Ansari, spouse of jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has appealed in Supreme Court for the protection of her husband in custody, following his transfer from a prison in Punjab to one in Uttar Pradesh. Afshan has cited a threat to Ansari's life, by no less than members of the UP government administration themselves, raising concerns of a possible 'fake encounter' to eliminate him.

Ansari, a Bahujan Samaj Party MLA from the Mau constituency, is notorious for his alleged involvement in crime, with charges against him ranging from extortion to murders. He had been lodged in Punjab’s Ropar jail since 2019 in connection to an extortion and intimidation case.

On March 26, the SC granted the UP government permission to take custody of Ansari, following a transfer plea. Amid tight security on April 6, Ansari was transferred to UP's Banda jail.

Mukhtar Ansari Wife Moves Court For His Protection: Who Is Afshan Ansari?

Mukhtar and Afshan Ansari married in 1989, and she has been a prominent figure in the jailed politician's public life since. In 2018, the two made headlines for reportedly having suffered heart attacks simultaneously when Ansari was in Banda jail. As per The Tribune, Afshan was visiting her husband in prison when the incident occurred, following which they were rushed to hospital.

As per some media, a non-bailable warrant was reportedly issued against Afshan Ansari last year September in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, in connection to cases against Ansari. The warrant reportedly also named other relatives of Ansari. Authorities cited it as a crackdown measure on the accused.

Ansari's high-profile transfer from Punjab to UP is currently under high media and political glare. Afshan has alleged a "genuine, persistent and grave threat" to his life, appealing the top court to direct orders for his custodial protection.

The apex court is scheduled to hear her plea on April 9, which also comprises requests for a fair trial for Ansari.