High Court tells UP govt to keep media away from Mukhtar Ansari

Weeks after gangster-politician Atique Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were killed by assailants disguised as mediapersons while being taken by the police for a medical check-up, the Allahabad High Court has called on the state to provide "full security" to jailed former MLA and gangster Mukhtar Ansari during his transits and has said that media persons should not be allowed to interview him.

The HC made the directions in its May 3 order on a plea filed by Afshan Ansari, the absconding wife of Mukhtar Ansari, requesting a direction to the state to provide adequate safeguards and protection to Ansari while he is lodged in the district jail of Banda and when he is being produced before courts for trial.

The state filed a reply describing the safety precautions being taken to ensure his security in jail as well as during his transit. The court accepted the details made by the state and requested the director general (DG) of police to ensure Ansari's safety as he is apprehending threat to his life in jail but considering the Atique Ahmed murder episode, also directed that the media not be allowed to interview him.

In its affidavit to Ansari's plea, the state said he was accompanied by 12 police officers and two drivers whenever he was taken out from jail.