Abbas Ansari, the sitting MLA from Mau Sadar and son of late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, was convicted by a local court on Saturday in a 2022 hate speech case related to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The court sentenced him to two years in prison - a verdict that could cost him his legislative seat. The case stems from a provocative speech delivered by Abbas during the poll campaign, in which he allegedly threatened government officials with retaliation if the Samajwadi Party came to power.
At the time, Abbas was contesting the Mau Sadar seat on the symbol of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), which was in alliance with the SP. The seat was allocated to SBSP under the alliance, but Abbas was fielded under pressure from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
During the speech at a public rally, Abbas reportedly said: “I have told Akhilesh ji that after our government is formed, there will be no transfers or postings for six months. Everyone will stay where they are. First, there will be ‘hisab-kitab’ (scores to settle), then transfers will happen.â€
The controversial remarks led to charges under several sections of the IPC, including 506 (criminal intimidation), 171F (undue influence in elections), 186 (obstructing public servant), 189 (threat to public servant), 153A (promoting enmity between groups), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). Alongside Abbas, his election agent Mansoor Ansari — who was present on the stage during the speech — was also convicted and sentenced to six months in jail. However, Abbas’s younger brother, Umer Ansari, who was present at the rally, was acquitted by the court.
Both Abbas and Mansoor were granted bail upon furnishing sureties of ?20,000 each, according to Abbas’s lawyer, Daroga Singh. The conviction could lead to Abbas Ansari’s disqualification from the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. As per a 2013 Supreme Court ruling, any legislator sentenced to two years or more of imprisonment stands automatically disqualified.
However, Abbas still has legal recourse. He may appeal the conviction in higher courts, including the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court.
If the High Court stays the trial court’s order, any disqualification process would be temporarily halted.
“Once the Assembly Secretariat receives a copy of the conviction order, it declares the seat vacant and informs the Chief Electoral Officer, who then notifies the Election Commission of India for a bypoll,†said Pradeep Dubey, Principal Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Secretariat.
