Former DSP Shailendra Singh recently recounted his challenging experience of slapping POTA charges against Mukhtar Ansari, a top leader of the underworld, while working under immense political pressure. Singh stood firm against Ansari's alleged empire, even as the Mulayam Singh Yadav government transferred several officials and coerced him to resign from his position. This occurred during a time when Ansari's influence peaked in 2004, and the government appeared determined to shield him at any cost. Consequently, Singh was forced to step down in February 2004, and a case of vandalism was unfairly imposed on him. However, in a turn of events, the case was withdrawn in 2021 by the Yogi Adityanath-led government. Notably, despite facing a staggering 60 criminal cases, Mukhtar Ansari's first conviction only materialized in 2022.