UP Police Constitutes 2 SITs To Probe Double Murder Of Atiq Ahmed, His Brother Ashraf

Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Double Murder: The UP Police teams are directed to file timely investigation reports and affidavits as per the instructions following various petitions in the SC and High Court

An area wears a deserted look following the imposition of Section 144 in Uttar Pradesh after mafioso-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim aka Ashraf were shot dead by assailants, in Prayagraj, Sunday, April 16, 2023. ( Image Source :PTI )

Uttar Pradesh Police has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, Special Director General of police (DGP) (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar informed on Monday.

Two SITs have been constituted to investigate the killings. A three-member SIT, headed by Additional Director General Prayagraj zone Bhanu Bhaskar, including Commissioner of Police Prayagraj and Director Forensic Science Laboratory, has been formed by DGP RK Vishwakarma.

The second SIT consisting of three members has been formed by Prayagraj Police in the murder case registered at Shahganj police station.

The teams are directed to file timely investigation reports and affidavits as per the instructions that are given as a result of various petitions in the Supreme Court and the High Court, a police statement informed.

Detailed investigation of the entire incident will be included in the reports.

How Did The Shooting Incident Unfold On April 15

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range on Saturday night by three men posing as journalists during a media interaction. The incident happened while police personnel were escorting the brothers to a medical college for a checkup in Prayagraj. The assailants were arrested immediately after the incident and have been identified, according to Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma.

The brothers, who were both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around then on Saturday night. The last rites of Ahmed's son Asad, who was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed just hours before the shooting.

The incident, which was captured on video, showed a man thrusting a gun at Ahmed's head as he talks to reporters, causing him to collapse. The footage also showed the three assailants firing at the brothers even after they had fallen.

Police constable Man Singh was injured in the incident as a bullet hit his arm, and a journalist was also hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting. Reports on Sunday suggest that one of the shooters also sustained bullet injuries and is currently being treated.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of the state, and internet services remain shut in the Prayagraj district as part of the security measures.