New Delhi

The Supreme Court will review a plea by Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansari challenging the application of the Gangsters Act against him by the Uttar Pradesh Police. A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan will also consider Ansari’s request for bail related to an illegal jail visit case.

Earlier, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing to allow the state government time to submit a short affidavit. Abbas Ansari, the eldest son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, was found meeting his wife, Nikhat, unlawfully while he was detained in Chitrakoot jail. This meeting was allegedly facilitated by corrupt prison officials.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Ansari, expressed concerns that new charges under the Gangsters Act might be filed to prevent his client from securing bail. Sibal noted that two major issues remain: the illegal jail visit and a pending bail request in a money laundering case before Justice M.M. Sundresh.

The Allahabad High Court had previously denied bail to Ansari in May, citing his significant public position and the need for higher conduct standards for lawmakers. During a raid in February, Nikhat Bano was found with mobile phones, cash, and Saudi Riyals, leading to arrests of both her and prison officials for violating jail regulations. Abbas Ansari was later transferred to Kasganj Jail.