Cases Against Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf And Family, And Their Links To Umesh Pal, Raju Pal Murders

Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, wife Shaista Praveen and other family members have together more than 160 criminal cases lodged against them.

(L to R) Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf and son Asad.

Source : PTI

Unidentified assailants shot dead jailed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, both handcuffed, when they were being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj by the police for a medical checkup around 10 pm on Saturday night. The incident was caught on camera mediapersons from television channels were following the two and the latter were replying to the questions.

A senior UP Police officer later said all three shooters have been arrested. 

Earlier this week, Atiq’s son Asad was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, and his last rites were performed in Prayagraj on Saturday.

According to the UP Police, Atiq and his family members had more than 160 criminal cases lodged against them. According to reports, Atiq had 100 cases against him, while his brother Ashraf was named in 52 cases. Atiq’s wife Shaista Praveen also has three cases against her, while the names of their sons Ali and Umar Ahmed figure in four and one cases, respectively. 

In February this year, their names cropped up in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was a prime witness in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Umesh was shot dead on February 24. A lot has happened since Raju Pal’s murder in 2005, and until Umesh was killed two months back. Here is a look.

2002: When Raju Pal Challenged Atiq Ahmed 

Atiq became an MLA 1989 after contesting as an Independent from the Allahabad West constituency. He switched over to the Samajwadi Party in 1996, and then to the Apna Dal in 2002, holding on to the seat for all these years.

His 2002 election was not without some hiccups, however, as he was challenged by Raju Pal, who contested against him on a BSP ticket and gave a good fight. 

2004: Raju Pal Won Seat Vacated By MP Atiq Ahmed

Atiq Ahmed vacated his seat in 2004 to contest the Lok Sabha poll from Phulpur constituency as an SP candidate. It was given that Ashraf (Khalid Azim) would win the bypoll from Allahabad West. However, that did not happen as Raju Pal, contesting again as a BSP  candidate, defeated Ashraf.

2005: Raju Pal Murdered, Ashraf Won Bypoll

Within three months of his election, on January 25, 2005, Raju Pal was attacked and killed when he was on his way to attend an event in his village. Two of his associates also died in the attack. Umesh Pal came forward as key witness in murder. He was the cousin of Raju's Pal's wife Pooja Pal. News reports from the time quoted the police as saying that Raju Pal’s victory in the 2004 bypolls was the reason behind his murder. An FIR was lodged against Atiq, Ashraf and others on the complaint of Raju’s wife Pooja Pal. Ashraf won the bypoll conducted the same year, beating Raju’s widow Pooja Pal.

A special court in Lucknow is still hearing the Raju Pal murder case, in which the Allahabad police had filed a charge sheet against Atiq, Ashraf and eight others. 

2007: Umesh Pal Alleged Torture By Atiq, Said He Was 'Kidnapped' Too

In a police complaint filed in 2007, Umesh Pal alleged that he was being threatened and tortured by Atiq Ahmed and his people to change his statements in the court in the Raju Pal murder case. He also claimed that he had been kidnapped. The Prayagraj police then registered an FIR against Atiq, Ashraf and others. On March 28 this year, Atiq Ahmed and two others were pronounced guilty in the Umesh Pal kidnapping case, and awarded a life term. This was his first conviction.

2023: Umesh Pal Killed

On February 24 this year, Umesh Pal and his two gunners were shot dead in Prayagraj. Umesh’s family named jailed gangster Atiq, his wife Shahista Parveen, Ashraf, Atiq’s son Asad and a few others as accused.