Atiq Ahmad to be produced in court today, slain lawyer Umesh Pal's kin seek death penalty

Atiq Ahmad is the prime accused in the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal. He is also accused in a case pertaining to his abduction in 2006.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2023, 09:14:46 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Day after he was brought from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail amid tight security by the Uttar Pradesh police, gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad will be produced before the MP/MLA court in Prayagraj in the 2006 abduction of Umesh Pal.

Pal, the main witness in the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party lawmaker Raju Pal, was shot dead in Prayagraj on February 24. Ahmad is the prime accused in the murder case along with his brother Ashraf.

ALSO READ: Police draw strategy for speedy conviction of Atiq, Ashraf

Heavy security has been deployed outside Pal's residence, whose family has demanded death sentence to the five-time MLA.

"...We don't have the strength to fight a case in the time to come. He (Atiq Ahmed) should be sentenced to death by hanging. If he is sentenced to life imprisonment, he can do anything from jail. He got my son killed from jail. He won't let us live if he remains there..." Umesh Pal's mother Shanti Devi told ANI.

"I hope court sentences him (Atiq Ahmed) to death by hanging. If he lives, perhaps we won't be able be alive. Maybe it would be us next. If he is gone only then will terror be gone..." the deceased lawyer's wife Jaya Pal said.

Prayagraj Police with jailed-mafia Atiq Ahmed outside Sabarmati Central Jail as he is being shifted to Prayagraj. (PTI) (HT_PRINT)

Since Pal's murder, the Uttar Pradesh Police have gunned down two alleged aides of Ahmad, while the Prayagraj administration has razed the houses of several others. On March 21, the UP Police arrested five aides of Ahmad said to be allegedly involved in the conspiracy to kill Umesh Pal and provided help to the assailants through different means.

On Monday, a 45-member Uttar Pradesh Police team brought Ahmad to Naini central jail wherein he has been kept in a high-security barrack located close to the women's jail. A senior superintendent of the jail said the number of CCTV cameras has also been increased to keep a tight vigil on the don-turned-politician.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More