Punjab 'shamelessly' protecting Mukhtar Ansari: UP govt to SC

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Punjab government is "shamelessly" protecting gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari as he is not being handed back to UP where he faces trial for several heinous offences before a special MP/MLA court.

Ansari is lodged in district jail Rupnagar in Punjab in connection with an alleged extortion case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the UP government, slammed the Punjab government before a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing the Punjab government, sought adjournment in the matter citing personal grounds.

Mehta said he has no objection to Dave's plea for adjournment. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Ansari, said his client is a "small fry", who is being cornered by a mighty state. Mehta replied that he is such a "small fry" that the Punjab government is protecting him. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 2.