Abbas Ansari has challenged the Mau MP-MLA court’s refusal to stay his conviction in a 2022 hate speech case. The Allahabad High Court has now set July 30 as the next date of hearing.
Prayagraj: On Jul 22, the Allahabad High Court has fixed July 30 as the next date of hearing in the revision plea filed by Abbas Ansari, the son of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari.
Abbas has challenged the decision of the MP-MLA Court at Mau, which had earlier rejected his request to stay his conviction in a 2022 hate speech case.
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The matter came up before Justice Samir Jain on Tuesday, where the Additional Advocate General (AAG) M C Chaturvedi appeared on behalf of the State. During the hearing, the AAG requested more time to prepare for the case, and on this ground, the judge postponed the hearing to July 30.
Earlier, on July 5, the MP-MLA Court had dismissed Abbas Ansari’s plea to put a hold on his conviction.
He was convicted and sentenced on May 31 under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with promoting enmity between different groups, and Section 189, which relates to threatening a public servant with injury.
The court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 2,000.
The incident in question relates to a 2022 election rally in Mau district, where Abbas Ansari shared the stage with his brother.
During the rally, threats were allegedly issued towards government officials, suggesting they would face consequences after the elections.
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It was alleged that his brother made remarks suggesting revenge on administrative officers, and Abbas was accused of endorsing those statements by sharing the platform.
The appeal against the May 31 conviction is currently pending before the Additional Sessions Judge at MP-MLA Court, Mau.
Alongside that appeal, Abbas Ansari had also filed a separate application seeking a stay on the conviction, which was also rejected.
Notably, Mansoor Ansari, who was Abbas Ansari’s election agent and was also present on stage during the rally, was found guilty as well. He was sentenced to six months in jail for his role in the case.
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The court proceedings are crucial for Abbas Ansari, as a conviction can hamper his political career, including disqualification from holding public office under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. A stay on conviction is often sought by politicians to avoid immediate disqualification.
The developments in this case continue to attract attention due to the political background of the Ansari family, and the implications it may have in Uttar Pradesh’s evolving political landscape.
Background of the Case
The case began with an election rally held in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh, in 2022, where Abbas Ansari, son of well-known politician and alleged gangster Mukhtar Ansari, was present on stage during a speech that allegedly included threats toward government officials.
It was claimed that officials would be “dealt with” once the election results were out, sparking serious legal concerns.
Because Abbas was on stage during the speech and was seen as supporting it, a criminal case was filed against him. After a trial, the MP-MLA Court in Mau found Abbas guilty on May 31, 2024, under:
- Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – for promoting enmity between groups,
- Section 189 of the IPC – for threatening a public servant.
He was sentenced to two years in prison and fined ₹2,000. His election agent, Mansoor Ansari, who was also present at the event, received a six-month jail sentence.
Abbas Ansari then filed an appeal against the conviction and also asked the court to put a hold (stay) on the conviction, so he wouldn’t face disqualification from holding public office under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which disqualifies those sentenced to two or more years in jail.
However, on July 5, 2024, the MP-MLA Court rejected his request to stay the conviction. Abbas then approached the Allahabad High Court, which heard the matter on July 22, 2024.
The Additional Advocate General requested time to prepare, so the High Court scheduled the next hearing for July 30, 2024.
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