Delhi HC likely to pronounce verdict on EC's plea against Mukhtar Ansari's parole

The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its decision on Monday on the Election Commission’s plea for cancelling UP MLA Mukhtar Ansari’s custody parole granted by a trial court for canvassing in the assembly polls.

The high court had reserved its verdict on February 22 after hearing arguments on behalf of the poll panel, Ansari and the state, which has also opposed the relief granted to the MLA.

While reserving judgement, Justice Mukta Gupta had said, “This is an issue that warrants concern. What he (Ansari) is getting (custody parole with armed guards) is actually more than bail.”

Also read: Delhi High Court reserves order on EC’s plea seeking cancellation of Mukhtar Ansari’s parole

Ansari, an MLA who recently joined the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest from the Mau Assembly seat, was given custody parole till March 4 to enable him to campaign in the election.

The high court had on February 17 stayed operation of the trial court order after the poll panel moved a plea seeking cancellation of his parole, saying he might influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, in which he is facing trial.

Later, the state of Uttar Pradesh, the prosecuting agency and the complainant in the BJP MLA murder case had also moved the high court, opposing Ansari’s release from a Lucknow jail.

However, their contentions were opposed by Ansari’s counsel, who said the EC’s claims were baseless and it cannot be the ground to restrict his movement in his constituency as none of the witnesses is from there.