Using ambulance since 2013, Ansari tells cops

Lucknow: Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who was grilled by Barabanki police in Banda jail in connection with a case of fraud in the registration of an ambulance, has said that he had been using the vehicle since 2013.

Mukhtar, who was in Ropar jail in Punjab for the last two years, was brought to UP and lodged in Banda jail in April this year. During his stay in Punjab, Mukhtar had been using an ambulance, which had the registration number Barabanki, to travel between Ropar jail and Mohali court for hearing.

The ambulance was later found to be registered on forged documents.

Superintendent of police, Barabanki, Yamuna Prasad, said: “The investigation officer in the case, Mahendra Singh, visited Banda jail to record Mukhtar’s statement. He is not cooperating with the police.” Sources in the police department said the cops prepared a list of questions like why Mukhtar procured an ambulance, and where was the vehicle used other than ferrying him from jail to court and from Ropar to Supreme Court in Delhi. Police also asked Mukhtar why he chose Barabanki district for the registration of ambulance.

Sources said Mukhtar kept on repeating that everything was done with the permission of the police and they should be asked about it. Senior officials said Barabanki police would seek the court’s permission and visit Banda jail to question the don again.