Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a major legal setback, Uttar Pradesh legislator Abbas Ansari, son of jailed strongman Mukhtar Ansari, has been convicted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Mau in a hate speech case. The court pronounced him guilty alongside his brother Umar Ansari and associate Mansoor Ansari. The sentencing is expected later today, sparking intense political speculation about potential consequences for Ansari’s legislative future.
The case dates back to March 3, 2022, during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Abbas Ansari, representing the Mau constituency on a Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) ticket, delivered a controversial speech during a public rally. In his address, he allegedly threatened administrative officials, suggesting retribution if his party came to power. This inflammatory statement led to an FIR being filed against him at Mau’s Kotwali police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 506 (criminal intimidation), 171F (offense related to elections), 186 (obstructing public servant), 189 (threat to public servant), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
The case, filed on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Ganga Ram Bind, culminated in today’s verdict by CJM Dr. K.P. Singh’s court. The prosecution presented substantial evidence and arguments, leading to the conviction. Legal experts note that if Abbas Ansari is sentenced to more than two years in prison, he could lose his legislative seat, as per the Representation of the People Act.
Abbas’ remarks during the 2022 campaign triggered widespread criticism and were deemed by many as an open threat to bureaucrats. In response, the Election Commission had imposed a 24-hour campaigning ban on him at the time. With today’s conviction, the political future of the Mau MLA hangs in the balance, and eyes are now fixed on the sentence announcement expected at 2 PM.
This development also has broader implications, potentially weakening the influence of the Ansari family in Purvanchal politics, where they have long held sway. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for the legal consequences of hate speech during elections.
