UP govt dragging feet over release of Mukhtar: Quami Ekta Dal chief Afzal Ansari

VARANASI: Quami Ekta Dal chief Afzal Ansari today alleged Uttar Pradesh government was dilly-dallying in the release of his younger brother Mukhtar from Agra jail despite a grant of conditional custody parole of 10 days by a Delhi court for campaigning in Lok Sabha polls.

The Jailor of Agra prison, at the behest of UP government, is dilly dallying on Mukhtar's release", said Afzal.

UP legislator from Mau constituency, Mukhtar Ansari is facing a trial in a case under stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act for allegedly being a member of an organized crime syndicate and was granted custody parole on Wednesday for 10 days by a Delhi court for poll campaign.

Mukhtar is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Ghoshi seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Afzal said the state government does not want to release Mukhtar as "his presence in eastern UP will disturb the poll arithmetic of all political parties including Samajwadi Party."

"So, scared by Mukhtar Ansari's popularity, they are trying to avoid the court order for his release. Also, QED lending its support to Congress has also pinched them( SP)", Afzal said.

He said he had instructed his lawyer to "file a contempt of court against the UP government if it did not follow the Delhi court's order for releasing Mukhtar from Agra jail on custody parole for ten days.