From poisoning to point-blank shots: 10 deaths in UP police custody over 7 years

Mukhtar Ansari’s death, while he was in police custody, reflects on the previous incidents of similar deaths of gangsters over the past seven years in Uttar Pradesh, where most of the deceased individuals were either political opponents of the BJP or dreaded criminals.

Among these figures, prominent names like Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmed have recently added to the grim tally, shedding light on the precarious state of law enforcement and judicial custody in UP under the Yogi government, according to a report in The Indian Express.

The most recent addition to this list is Mukhtar Ansari, a notorious gangster-politician, whose life came to an abrupt end within the confines of Banda district jail. Ansari's demise, occurring on March 28, echoes the fate of several others who met similar ends under judicial and police custody in recent years.

Atiq Ahmed, another figure in the criminal-political nexus, faced a similar fate alongside his brother Khalid Azim. The duo was fatally shot while being escorted to a hospital for medical examination, a grim spectacle broadcasted live on television. The assailants, later apprehended, claimed their motive was to "gain fame," showcasing the brazen nature of criminal activities within the state.

The circumstances surrounding these deaths paint a harrowing picture of security lapses and internal strife within correctional facilities. Munna Bajrangi's murder inside Baghpat jail, allegedly orchestrated by another incarcerated gangster, Sunil Rathi, underscores the volatile environment prevailing within prison walls.

Despite directives from the Allahabad High Court, investigations into Bajrangi's murder remain ongoing, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining order within jails.

Similarly, the incident involving three gangsters—Mukeem Kala, Mirajudeen alias Miraj, and Anshu Dixit—meeting their demise within Chitrakoot jail further exacerbates concerns over inmate safety and security. Dixit's alleged actions, resulting in the fatal shooting of his fellow inmates before being subdued by police intervention, serve as a stark reminder of the potential for violence lurking behind bars.

Moreover, the deaths of Sanjeev Maheshwari and Khan Mubarak, both under similar circumstances of being fatally shot while in transit for court hearings or medical treatment, underscore the vulnerabilities faced by individuals within the criminal justice system. Despite facing charges ranging from murder to armed robbery, the failure to safeguard their lives while under state custody raises questions about the efficacy of security protocols and prisoner welfare measures.

The demise of 31-year-old gangster Muneer Mehtab, sentenced to death for the murder of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer, further accentuates the dangers inherent within the state's correctional facilities.

Mehtab's death, occurring during treatment at a hospital in Varanasi after being shifted from Sonbhadra jail due to deteriorating health.