A war of words has erupted between BJP and Samajwadi Party after photos of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav with an accused in the murder case of Umesh Pal went viral on Tuesday. Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his police security guard was shot dead by assailants last week outside his home in Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj.
Several BJP leaders on Tuesday shared an image of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav with Sadakat Khan, an accused in the Umesh Pal's murder.
UP BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh accused Samajwadi Party of nurturing criminals.
"SP has protected people like him. They let a sapling become a huge banyan tree. Nobody should be surprised if such things come out. SP should answer how many criminals have they nurtured," ANI quoted Singh as saying.
In a quick riposte, Samajwadi Party's national spokesperson Ameeque Jamei shared an image of Sadakat Khan with former BJP MLA Udaybhan Karwariya.
"Sadakat is currently a member of BJP but is being linked with SP. Sadakat's photo with Udaybhan Karwariya at former BJP MLA Neelam Karwariya's house shows the connection of this incident with BJP. Even before this, a BJP leader Rahil, the mastermind of this case, was caught," Jamei tweeted.
Responding to the viral photos, Akhilesh told reporters, "In era of social media, photo can be clicked with anyone and can go viral. Yesterday, my photo was with CM Yogi. If he had not withdrawn the cases against him, then what would you be running today."
Sharing the photos of Akhilesh with Khan, UP Congress on Twitter said, "Be it BJP or SP. If both are involved in holding the finger of criminals, then they are two sides of the same coin."
Sadaqat Khan, a lawyer, was arrested on Monday for his alleged involvement in the planning of Umesh Pal's murder. On Monday, police searched his room in Allahabad University hostel. Police claimed the attack on the witness was planned there.
READ | Umesh Pal Murder Case: Accused Arbaaz Killed In Encounter With Police In Prayagraj
"Sadakat Khan lived in the Muslim hostel of Allahabad University and the conspiracy of the attack was hatched in his room," PTI quoted Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma as saying.
"Sadakat Khan has given the names of some people involved in this conspiracy. He has also given information about calls made through social media apps. His room was searched by the police team in his presence. While returning, Khan tried to flee but fell after colliding with a divider. He has sustained some injuries," he further said.
On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Police killed one of the accused, Arbaaz, in Umesh Pal's murder case during an encounter in Prayagraj. Police claimed that Arbaaz was the driver of the white SUV used by the assailants to attack Umesh Pal.
Following a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife, a case has been registered against gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, wife and BSP leader Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Gulam and nine others.
Meanwhile, Ahmed's wife Shaista Parveen has filed a petition before Allahabad District Court claiming that her two sons were taken away by the police and there has been no update on them ever since, ANI reported.