The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to respond to a plea by Fahim Ansari, acquitted in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, who is seeking a police clearance certificate to drive an auto-rickshaw for his livelihood. The court has set the next hearing for April 3.
Justice Sarang Kotwal, presiding over the bench, directed the state’s additional public prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh to verify Ansari’s claims and file an affidavit. Deshmukh requested time to consult with senior officers and confirm the facts regarding Ansari’s request.
Fahim Ansari, alongside Sabauddin Ahmed, was acquitted of charges related to the 2008 terror attacks, which resulted in the death of 166 people and injured hundreds. While Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was convicted and executed, the Indian courts found insufficient evidence against Ansari and Ahmed, leading to their acquittal at all judicial levels.
However, Ansari faces hurdles in resuming a normal life post-acquittal. In January, he petitioned the High Court after his application for a police clearance certificate was denied. The denial was based on previous accusations of his involvement with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), despite his acquittal in the terror case.
Ansari argued that the refusal to grant him the certificate was arbitrary, illegal, and discriminatory, infringing on his fundamental rights to earn a livelihood. “The petitioner is legally entitled to engage in gainful employment, free from any legal blemish or barriers,” stated the plea.
After being released from jail in 2019, Ansari initially worked at a printing press in Mumbai, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later found employment at another press in Mumbra but sought better opportunities through a three-wheeler auto-rickshaw license, which he obtained on January 1, 2024.
Despite possessing the license, the mandatory Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) required for commercial auto-rickshaw operation has been withheld due to his past accusations. Ansari’s plea highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals acquitted of criminal charges as they strive to reintegrate into society and secure stable employment.
