Following a police inquiry into VIP facilities provided to Uttar Pradesh’s gangster turned politician Mukhtar Ansari during his two year term in Ropar jail, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said former ministers will have to compensate for the same.

In a statement that comes after UP government declared war on organised crime, Mann said that a total of 55 lakhs were spent on him and he was never produced before the court despite issuing warrants 48 times.

Ansari was brought to Punjab in January 2019 on a transit remand from UP for seeking a ransom from Mohali builder. He was here till April 2021.

Mann said that taxpayer’s money will not be wasted but the government is mulling over ways to recover it from the previous government that allegedly allowed this brazen loot of public money. The file pertaining to payment of lawyers who defended him has been rejected by the government. Former jail minister Harjot Bains had ordered an investigation into VIP facilities by Ansari and ADGP RN Dhoke had in his report held some jail officials guilty and recommended action against them. The report had not however indicted any politician.

“For reasons best known to them this notorious criminal was kept in Ropar Jail with full comfort. Apart from ensuring a comfortable stay the state government ensured that this hard-core criminal did not face any sort of difficulty within the jail and escaped the legal action against him. Open plundering of the taxpayers money cannot be tolerated at any cost. Government is also mulling to recover this money from the Ministers who have taken this sinister decision. Everyone involved in this heinous crime will be made accountable for their sin,” said Mann.

It may be noted that a file pertaining to senior advocate Dushyant Dave who represented the Punjab government in the Supreme Court in 2021 is awaiting clearance. Dave on Punjab’s behalf had opposed transfer of Ansari to Uttar Pradesh. Ansari is alleged to have good connections with state and national congress leaders.

In Oct 2020 UP BJP MLA Alka Rai, wife of former legislator KN Rai who was murdered in 2005 had written to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accusing Punjab Congress of shielding him. The UP government had also filed a petition in the apex court accusing Punjab of shamelessly helping Ansari accused of murdering KN Rai to evade court appearances in UP. The UP government had to send 25 reminders to Punjab before getting his custody through court.

Meanwhile UP police has also declared his Ansari’s wife Afshan Ansari as absconding and announced a reward on any information leading to her arrest.

Also Read: Top Punjab cops in fresh trouble for shielding don Mukhtar Ansari from UP police