E-Paper
Judge asks police commissioner to comply with HC norms over security of Ashraf
Ashraf, along with his brother Atiq, is an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, which took place on February 24, 2023.
Acting on an application of Khalid Azim alias Mohd Ashraf, brother of gangster-turned- politician Atiq Ahmad, the chief judicial magistrate (Prayagraj) on Saturday asked the police commissioner to comply with the decision of the Allahabad high court (dated March 21, 2023), wherein some directives had been issued with regard to the protection of Ashraf during his transit from Bareilly jail to Prayagraj.
Ashraf, along with his brother Atiq, is an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, which took place on February 24, 2023. He is currently lodged in Bareilly jail of Uttar Pradesh.
A division bench of Allahabad high court, while hearing writ petition filed by Khalid Azim alias Mohd Ashraf, apprehending threat to his life, had directed the state government and its authorities concerned to protect the life of the petitioner and also to ensure his safety and security in transit from Bareilly jail to Prayagraj.
According to district government counsel (criminal), Gulab Chandra Agrahri, an application was moved on behalf of Ashraf before the CJM requesting him to get directives issued by the high court on compliance of its decision dated March 21.
The CJM directed to place this decision before the police commissioner, Prayagraj, asking him to ensure compliance of this decision of HC, wherein some directions with regard to security of Ashraf had been issued.
Earlier at one stage, an application was moved by the station house officer of Dhoomanganj, Prayagraj, RK Maurya, stating therein that Ashraf was a dreaded criminal and prima facie been found to be involved in the conspiracy of Umesh Pal murder case, which is registered as case crime no-114 of 2023 at police station – Dhoomanganj under IPC sections 302 (murder), 120B (conspiracy) and others.
In this backdrop, the SHO, who is also investigation officer (IO) of this murder case, requested the court to issue B warrant (production warrant), as according to him, the physical presence of Ashraf is required in this case, who at present is lodged in Bareilly jail.
Accepting his request, the CJM on March 23 had issued B warrant (production warrant) permitting the investigation officer (IO) to bring Ashraf before the court of Prayagraj from Bareilly jail.
On the basis of B warrant, a police team had already reached Bareilly jail to bring Ashraf to Prayagraj in connection with Umesh Pal murder case, wherein he (Ashraf) was named as accused.
