Supreme Court Modifies Bail Conditions For Abbas Ansari, Allows Limited Stay At Ghazipur Residence

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh was hearing Ansari’s plea seeking relaxation of conditions imposed in the March 7 interim bail order granted in a case under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Ansari, argued that the MLA has not violated any condition of the interim bail and has refrained from even visiting his constituency in Mau. “He hasn’t stepped out of his house,” Sibal told the court, urging that Ansari be permitted to stay at his residence if he visits his constituency.

Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, handed over a confidential report to the Bench, which was promptly shared with the petitioner’s counsel upon the Court’s direction.

Justice Kant, after perusing the report, observed: “There’s nothing confidential here. The only concern appears to be his non-appearance in some criminal proceedings, causing delays in trial — possibly due to the conditions imposed earlier by this Court.”

Taking note of the difficulties faced by Ansari, the Court modified Clause 2 of its earlier order, allowing him to stay overnight at his Ghazipur residence while visiting his constituency. However, the stay is not to be used for holding any public meetings and is capped at three nights, initially.

"Considering the difficulties faced by the petitioner (Ansari) in visiting his constituency, Clause 2 of the order dated 7th March is modified to the extent that the petitioner may stay overnight at his residence in Ghazipur while visiting his constituency. However, the petitioner’s stay at his residence in Ghazipur shall not be for the purpose of holding any public meeting. Initially, such stay shall not exceed three nights," the Court ordered.

When Sibal objected to the limitation, calling it unfair, Justice Kant responded, “Nobody spends that much time in the constituency. We are permitting three nights.”

Previously

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