Allahabad HC sets aside attachment order for property of Mukhtar Ansari's cousin

PRAYAGRAJ: (Mar 18) The Allahabad High Court has set aside an attachment order for immovable property in Ghazipur belonging to Mansoor Ansari, cousin of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, observing that the state failed to establish any nexus between the commission of any offence and construction of the building/shops in question.

Allowing the criminal appeal filed by Mansoor Ansari, Justice Raj Beer Singh said that the state cannot seize property under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 based on mere bald allegations or simply because an individual is related to a known gangster.

The special judge, Ghazipur had upheld the decision of district magistrate to attach Mansoor Ansari's shops and building valued at Rs 26,18,025, on the allegation in a police report that the properties were 'benami' assets of late Mukhtar Ansari.