The Supreme Court on Friday eased the bail restrictions imposed on Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, son of late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in connection with a case under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The top court permitted him to travel outside the state, subject to prior intimation to the trial court and investigating officer.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed Ansari to ensure that his cases are not delayed due to his absence and that he fully cooperates with ongoing trials.
“The petitioner is allowed to travel outside the state of UP, provided he furnishes details of his place of visit and contact number to the trial court and investigating officer, and further ensures that the trial proceedings are not hampered or delayed,” the bench ordered.
The bench clarified that restrictions imposed earlier—barring Ansari from commenting on sub-judice matters—were intended to protect the judiciary from social media criticism, not to curtail his right to speak on issues concerning public welfare or development.
“The condition is not about gagging him but to protect the courts from attacks in social media. As a public representative, he can always speak about welfare of people and state of the economy,” Justice Kant observed.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha appeared for Ansari, while Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj represented the Uttar Pradesh Police. Nataraj noted that trial in the gangster case was underway and the petition could be disposed of with directions for Ansari’s cooperation.
The apex court had granted Ansari interim bail on March 7, 2024, imposing several conditions including a restriction on leaving Uttar Pradesh without prior permission and a ban on attending political meetings during constituency visits. On May 16, the court modified the order, permitting him to stay at his Ghazipur home when visiting his Mau constituency.
Friday’s order marks another relaxation of those conditions, giving him broader mobility while keeping judicial proceedings safeguarded.
Ansari was arrested under the Gangsters Act on September 6, 2024, following an FIR lodged at Kotwali Karvi Police Station in Chitrakoot on August 31. He, along with Navneet Sachan, Niyaz Ansari, Faraz Khan, and Shahbaz Alam Khan, was accused of extortion and assault. He had earlier been taken into custody on November 4, 2022, in other criminal matters.
The court’s relaxation of bail terms now allows Ansari more freedom of movement, while reaffirming that his cooperation in trial proceedings is essential for the expeditious disposal of the cases against him.
