Court Sentences MLA Abbas Ansari to Two Years in Hate Speech Case

Mau – In a significant verdict, the MP-MLA court in Mau district has sentenced Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansari to two years in jail along with a fine of ₹3,000 in a hate speech case dating back to the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The verdict was pronounced by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Dr. KP Singh.

The case pertains to a provocative speech delivered by Abbas Ansari on March 3, 2022, during an election rally at Paharpur Maidan in Mau. In his speech, Ansari allegedly threatened government officials, stating that they would be “taken care of” if his party came to power. The speech sparked outrage, and an FIR was lodged by Sub-Inspector Gangaram Bind of Mau Kotwali.

Following the investigation, Abbas Ansari was charged under six sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:

• Section 506 (criminal intimidation)
• Section 171F (undue influence in elections)
• Section 186 (obstruction of public servant in discharge of duty)
• Section 189 (threat of injury to a public servant)
• Section 153A (promoting enmity between groups)
• Section 120B (criminal conspiracy)

The court found Abbas guilty on all counts and awarded him a two-year sentence. His co-accused, Mansoor Ansari, was also convicted and sentenced to six months in jail with a fine of ₹1,000.

This case holds wider political significance, as Abbas Ansari is the son of former MP Mukhtar Ansari, a well-known strongman from eastern Uttar Pradesh. Abbas currently serves as the MLA from the Mau Sadar constituency.

Legal experts say the conviction may impact Abbas Ansari’s political career. A sentence of two years or more could lead to disqualification from holding public office under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, unless overturned by a higher court.

The verdict is being seen as a strong stance by the judiciary against the use of inflammatory rhetoric during election campaigns.