Probe ordered into death of jailed Indian Muslim politician

UTTAR PRADESH: An inquiry into the untimely demise of Mukhtar Ansari, an incarcerated politician from Uttar Pradesh, is set to be conducted by a magistrate following allegations from his family suggesting foul play through poisoning, as per recent reports.

As per the directive from the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Banda, a team comprising three members is slated to initiate the investigation promptly.

Mukhtar Ansari passed away on March 28 at a hospital in Banda after suffering a cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, his family has raised suspicions, asserting that Ansari may have been administered ‘slow poison’ while in custody, ultimately leading to his death.

“Mukhtar said he was given a poisonous substance in food in jail. This happened for the second time. Around 40 days ago also he was given poison. And recently, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition was bad,” claimed his brother Afzal Ansari, an MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur.

Afzal mentioned that during a court session on March 21, his brother’s legal representative had informed the Barabanki court that his client was purportedly subjected to “slow poison” while in jail, resulting in a decline in his health condition.