New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday modified the interim bail conditions of Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, permitting him to stay at his residence in Ghazipur for up to three nights whenever he travels to his constituency, Mau, while maintaining that the stay must not be used for public meetings.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh passed the order while hearing Ansari’s plea seeking relaxation in the bail terms earlier imposed in a case registered under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986.

“Having regard to the difficulties being experienced by the petitioner while visiting his constituency, clause 2, para 6 of order dated 7 March is modified to the limited extent that when the petitioner visits his constituency, he may stay in the night at his residence in Ghazipur,” the bench ordered. “Such stay shall not exceed three nights (initially), and shall not be for the purpose of any public meeting at the residence.”

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Ansari, urged the court to consider the practical challenges in travelling from Lucknow where Ansari is currently required to reside to Mau, which is over 300 kilometers away. He submitted that since the grant of interim bail in March, Ansari had not left Lucknow.

"Since your lordships have said I can only go to constituency, I can't go to my home... [if I go to constituency] how do I stay? Where do I stay? I will have to come back," Sibal said.

Initially, Justice Kant remarked, “It’s better you don’t go there for some time. Your family can come and meet you in Lucknow.” However, the bench eventually agreed to allow a limited stay at Ghazipur, subject to restrictions.

When Sibal objected to the three-night cap, arguing that Ansari had complied fully with the earlier bail conditions, Justice Kant responded: “Nobody spends this much time in constituency. Three nights we are permitting.”

Earlier, ASG KM Nataraj, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, placed a status report in sealed cover, which the Court opened and read during the proceedings.

Justice Kant noted, “There is nothing confidential. Only issue appears to be that he is not attending in some criminal proceedings and trial is getting delayed,” adding that the delays could be linked to the restrictions imposed by the bail conditions.

The Court directed that a copy of the status report be shared with Ansari’s counsel and asked for a reply-affidavit addressing the concerns raised in the report.

Background: An FIR was registered against Abbas Ansari and others on August 31, 2024, at PS Kotwali Karvi, District Chitrakoot, under Section 2/3 of the UP Gangsters Act.

It was alleged that Ansari was part of a gang formed for financial and other unlawful benefits, involving extortion and intimidation.

Ansari’s initial bail plea was rejected by the Supreme Court, directing him to approach the High Court first.

After the Allahabad High Court dismissed his plea in December 2024, citing his alleged gang leadership and multiple pending cases, Ansari approached the apex court again.

On March 7, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail, imposing stringent conditions including a bar on leaving Lucknow, with limited exception to visit his constituency Mau upon prior intimation to the trial court and local police.

The Court also restrained him from making any public statements related to sub judice matters.

The Court has now posted the matter for further hearing.

UNI/SNG/GNK