Pakistani media outlets have begun criticizing the circumstances surrounding the demise of former gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. Theyve pointed fingers at the Yogi Adityanath-led government, attributing blame for Ansaris death. According to a report in the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, theres speculation of foul play behind Ansaris demise.The report highlights Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths firm stance on law enforcement in Indias most populous state. Dawn notes that since the BJP government took office in Uttar Pradesh in March 2017. Since then, there have been 190 police shootings resulting in fatalities, termed as encounters in UP.The newspaper mentions that between March 2017 and September 2023, 5,591 individuals were injured in police encounters in UP. Describing Ansaris death as suspicious, Dawn referenced the public shooting of another gangster Muslim leader, Atik Ahmed, in Uttar Pradesh in 2023, which raised serious questions about the state government.Meanwhile, Pakistan Today reported, Three months after his lawyers approached the Indian Supreme Court expressing concerns about the possibility of harm while in custody, imprisoned Muslim leader and former MLA Mukhtar Ansari passed away in a Uttar Pradesh jail.Mukhtar Ansari laid to rest amid heightened securityMukhtar Ansari was laid to rest on Saturday in the Kalibagh graveyard near his ancestral home in Yusufpur Mohammadabad, Ghazipur district. The funeral procession, led by his MP brother Afzal Ansari, son Omar Ansari, nephew MLA Suhaib Ansari, family members, and supporters, began at Ansaris ancestral residence. Family allegations of foul playEarlier, Ansari was transferred from Banda District Jail to Rani Durgavati Medical College, following his deteriorating health, where he succumbed to a heart attack. Ansaris family alleged foul play and accused authorities of poisoning him. However, Ansaris post-mortem revealed that heart attack caused his death. Ansaris post-mortem was conducted at Banda Medical College on Friday evening, after which his body was transported to his ancestral residence amidst heavy security measures. His elder son and MLA Abbas Ansari, who was detained in Kasganj jail on criminal charges, couldnt attend the funeral.
