The Supreme Court has made absolute the interim bail granted to Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari in a Gangsters Act case, noting no misuse of liberty and directing him to inform the police before travelling outside the state.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made absolute the interim bail earlier granted to Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari in a case registered under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, which involves allegations of extortion and assault. The Court directed Ansari to notify the police before travelling outside Uttar Pradesh, reaffirming the conditions imposed earlier.
Supreme Court Observations
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the order after Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for Ansari, informed the Court that the MLA had not misused the interim bail granted earlier. Taking note of this submission, the Bench observed that there were no reports of any violation of bail conditions during the interim period.
The Court also recorded that the criminal trial against Ansari is ongoing, but has been facing procedural hurdles. Importantly, the Bench clarified that it had not examined the merits of the allegations against the accused while making the interim bail absolute.
With this order, Abbas Ansari will continue to remain on bail, subject to the previously imposed conditions.
Earlier, on September 26, 2025, the Supreme Court had relaxed Ansari’s bail conditions, allowing him to travel outside Uttar Pradesh with prior intimation. The Court directed that Ansari must:
- Inform the trial court about his place of visit
- Share his contact details with the investigating officer
- Ensure that the trial proceedings are not delayed
“The petitioner is allowed to travel outside the State of Uttar Pradesh, provided that he furnishes details of his travel and ensures that trial proceedings are not hampered,”
the Bench had ordered.
The Supreme Court also clarified that conditions restricting Ansari from speaking on sub-judice matters should not be interpreted as a gag order. Justice Surya Kant observed that the restriction was meant to protect courts from attacks on social media, and not to silence a public representative.
“As an elected representative, he can always speak about public welfare, the economy, and other issues,”
the CJI remarked.
Since granting interim bail on March 7, the Supreme Court has gradually relaxed the conditions imposed on Abbas Ansari:
- May 16: Allowed him to stay at his residence in Ghazipur for up to three nights while visiting his constituency
- September 26: Permitted travel outside Uttar Pradesh with prior intimation
- Latest order: Made the interim bail absolute
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Police, confirmed that trial proceedings are underway and acknowledged that Ansari was already on interim bail.
Background of the Case
The case under the Gangsters Act arose from an FIR registered on February 11, 2023, alleging that Ansari misused jail facilities while lodged in Chitrakoot Jail. It was alleged that his wife visited him frequently in violation of prison rules and that Ansari used mobile phones during these visits to threaten individuals and extort money. The FIR also alleged that jail officials were bribed in cash and kind to facilitate these privileges.
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Earlier developments include:
- December 19, 2024: Allahabad High Court rejected Ansari’s bail plea under the Gangsters Act
- October 18, 2024: The Supreme Court granted him bail in two other cases, a money-laundering case and a case involving illegal meetings with his wife in jail
However, bail in the Gangsters Act case had remained pending until the Supreme Court granted interim relief earlier this year.
Case Title:
Abbas Ansari v. State Of Uttar Pradesh
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