Threat to Ansari’s life

Delhi Police has stepped up security of criminal turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, an Independent MLA from Uttar Pradesh, following specific threats.

Delhi Police has stepped up security of criminal turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, an Independent MLA from Uttar Pradesh, following specific threats.

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Ansari, who has been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), is in 14-day custody of the Special Cell of Delhi Police.

Wanted in 35 criminal cases, Ansari was brought to Delhi on Saturday after his name cropped up during the interrogation of his henchman and close aide Munna Bajrangi, who was arrested in November 2009 from Mumbai.

Ansari would not be able to come out of jail, at least for six months, under the strict provisions of MCOCA.

He was recently expelled from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) by party supremo

and UP Chief Minister Mayawati.

“He was running an organised racket for the past several years. He has many rivals and we need to provide him adequate security,” said a senior police officer.

To gather evidence against him, the police would also need to take him to Uttar Pradesh. Ansari is also wanted for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rain in 2004.

“It was at the behest of Ansari that his henchman Bajrangi had made threat calls to a Delhi businessman. The accused, who has a considerable clout in UP, were trying to set up a base in Delhi,” said the officer.