New Delhi: After mafia-turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother’s killing, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleged Jai Shri Ram slogans were raised and termed the incident as a failure of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government.
“Both Atiq and his brother were in police custody. He was handcuffed. Jai Shri Ram slogans were also raised. The killing of both is the failure of Yogi's law and order system. Those celebrating the encounter are also responsible for this murder,” Owaisi said.
Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead while being taken for medical test in Prayagraj. The shooting occurred inside Prayagraj's Dhoomanganj police station.
According to reports, three persons opened fire on them. After killing Atiq and Ashraf Ahmed, the assailants were caught by the Uttar Pradesh Police. Atiq and Ashraf were shot even as they spoke to the media while being escorted by policemen on duty. Multiple rounds of shots were fired from very close range.
Atiq and members of his family had earlier repeatedly asked the courts for protection, claiming they had been receiving threats, and that their lives were in danger. Atiq had also knocked on the Supreme Court's doors to request protection while being held in detention for the murder of Umesh Pal.
READ | Cases Against Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf And Family, And Their Links To Umesh Pal, Raju Pal Murders
Atiq and Ashraf had started to talk to the media, when the two were attacked and shot, and the incident was caught live on news cameras. As the two fell after being hit, sounds of indiscriminate shooting could be heard.
Earlier on Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh Police questioned Atiq and Ashraf at the Dhoomanganj police station.
Atiq Ahmed was accused in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case of 2015 as well as the Umesh Pal murder case, which occurred in February this year.