Gangster Act Case: Supreme Court Relaxes Bail Conditions for Abbas Ansari, Allows Travel Outside UP
The Supreme Court clarified that its bar on Abbas Ansari speaking on sub-judice cases was not a gag order, noting he was free to comment on welfare, economy and public issues
SC relaxes bail conditions for MLA Abbas Ansari in Gangsters Act case
The Supreme Court on Friday eased the bail conditions imposed on Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari in a case under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act, allowing him to travel outside the state with prior intimation to investigating officers.
The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed Ansari to ensure that the trials pending against him are not delayed and that he cooperates with their expeditious disposal.
“The petitioner is allowed to travel outside the state of UP, provided that he shall furnish the particulars of place of visit to the trial court, along with contact number to the investigating officer and shall further ensure that the trial proceedings are not hampered or delayed,” the bench ordered.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal and Advocate Nizam Pasha appeared for Ansari, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari.
The Court also directed him to appear before the trial court in cases unless specifically exempted.
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh Police, confirmed that trial proceedings were underway and noted that Ansari was already on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court on March 7.
The Bench further clarified that the condition restricting Ansari from speaking about sub-judice cases should not be construed as a gag order.
Justice Surya Kant explained, “The condition is not about gagging him but to protect the courts from attacks on social media. As a public representative, he can always speak about the welfare of people, the state of the economy, and other issues.”
The Apex Court has progressively relaxed Ansari’s bail terms since granting him interim bail earlier this year.
Previously, on May 16, the Court had relaxed his bail condition, allowing him to stay at his residence in Ghazipur for up to three nights while visiting his constituency, but with strict limitations.
On March 7, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari.
The Court had previously directed the UP Police to complete the probe against Ansari in a case under the Gangsters Act within 10 days. In January, the Supreme Court had issued notice in Ansari's plea seeking bail.
Earlier, on 19th December, 2024 the Allahabad High Court rejected Ansari's bail plea in a Gangsters Act case, noting that the investigation into the matter was ongoing and that the applicant was currently in jail in the present case.
Notably, on 18th October, 2024 the Apex Court granted bail to Abbas Ansari in two separate cases—one related to money laundering and the other concerning his illegal meeting with his wife in jail. However, Ansari has yet to secure bail in a criminal case registered under the Gangsters' Act.
Previously, a of the Bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan had sought the UP government's response while issuing notice in Ansari's plea seeking bail in the case concerning illegal meetings with his wife.
An FIR was registered on February 11, 2023, that Ansari's wife had been visiting him in Chitrakoot jail flouting all prison restrictions. She used to spend 3 to 4 hours inside the jail and allegedly, Ansari used to make calls from her phones to threaten various persons to extort money. It was also alleged that Ansari was provided all sorts of benefits during his incarceration for which the officials of the jail were paid both in cash and kind.
Moreover, it was claimed that the driver of Ansari's wife namely Niyaz along with the officials of the jail was planning to stage an escape of Ansari from the prison. Upon surprise inspection by the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Ansari's wife was found in the room right adjacent to the room of the Jail Superintendent.
Following the incident, Abbas Ansari was transferred from Chitrakoot prison to Kasganj district jail. Seven persons, including Nikhat Ansari, were arrested in connection with the case. Nikhat was granted bail by the Supreme Court on August 11, 2023.
Case Title: Abbas Ansari v. State Of UP
Hearing Date: September 26, 2025
Bench: Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi