On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted permission for MLA Abbas Ansari to participate virtually in the religious ceremony commemorating the 40th day since the passing of his father, Mukhtar Ansari.

Having noted that the ceremony was scheduled for the same day, Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to facilitate Abbas Ansari's electronic participation, whether from his incarceration or from a secure location outside the prison premises.

Last November, the Allahabad High Court refused his bail application, emphasizing the substantial quantities of arms and ammunition found at his residence in New Delhi. The court also highlighted concerns about Ansari potentially influencing witnesses and tampering with evidence.

After the demise of his father due to cardiac arrest, Abbas Ansari penned a letter to the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Mau, Uttar Pradesh, alleging that he was being subjected to poisoning by officials at the Banda jail.

Previously, the court had granted permission to Abbas Ansari to participate in the 'Fatiha' ceremony honoring his late father, Mukhtar Ansari. Today, the court urged Additional Advocate General Ms. Garima Prashad, representing the State of Uttar Pradesh, to approach the matter with compassion, considering that Ansari has recently lost his father.

During the proceedings, the court also instructed Advocate Mr. Nizam Pasha, who represents Abbas Ansari, to return on the next hearing date with a timely request should there be any other planned ritual or ceremony that Ansari seeks to attend.

Following Mr. Pasha's update that Ansari's family intended to hold private ceremonies in remembrance of his late father, given Ansari's inability to attend his funeral, the court decided to reschedule the case for further hearing on Wednesday.

Case Title: Abbas Ansari v. Union of India and Another

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