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Atiq Ahmed is now prisoner number D-17502 in Sabarmati jail
Every convicted prisoner is allotted a unique identity number in jail and D17052 is the third numerical identity for Atiq Ahmed.
Sentenced to life imprisonment in the Umesh Pal abduction case, gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed is now ‘qaidi sankhya’ D-17052 at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, an official said.
Every convicted prisoner is allotted a unique identity number in jail and D-17052 is the third numerical identity for Atiq Ahmed, a former MP from Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, he was known in police records as history sheeter 39-A of Khuldabad police station of Prayagraj and the leader of the inter-state gang listed as IS-227.
A Sabarmati jail official confirmed Atiq Ahmed will be known as prisoner number D-17052. The prisoner number is also given for counting the convicted jail inmates daily, the jail official said.
Atiq Ahmed, with nearly 101 criminal cases against him (since 1979), used to call the shots from inside prison but his life inside jail will change after his first conviction in 44 years.
Another official said Atiq has been given the jail uniform, which includes white kurta-pyjama and a cap as well as a white towel.
Every state has a different dress code for convicted prisoners, he said, adding that Atiq would not be allowed to wear his own clothes after conviction.
Like other life convicts, Atiq would also have to work in jail and he has been put in the unskilled labour category. A convict is paid ₹70 per day for unskilled work, ₹80 per day for semi-skilled work and ₹100 per day for skilled work. Unskilled prisoners with age issues are engaged in simple work like cleaning and other activities. It is yet to be decided in the case of Atiq. The options may include farming, gardening, cleaning and looking after cattle.
As Atiq will have to work as per the sentence awarded to him, his account at jail has also been opened and his renumeration will be transferred to it. This money can be further transferred to his family members or else it will remain in his account.
Prayagraj police officials who are watching the developments said that as a convicted prisoner, Atiq will have to now follow stricter rules in jail and his diet chart will also change as per jail manual.
Till now, Atiq was given 380 grams of bread with rice and cereals. However, now he will receive 500 grams of bread along with an increase in other eatables as well. This facility is given to prisoners who work in jail.
Officials said that Atiq has now been shifted to barracks for convicted jail inmates. As per procedure, his fresh documents were prepared, and his name was entered in the register of convicted prisoners lodged at Sabarmati jail.
Atiq will have to get up early in the morning for work in accordance with the rules for convicted prisoners.
Atiq Ahmed was brought to Prayagraj from Sabarmati jail under tight security on Monday so that he could be produced before the MP/MLA court on Tuesday. He was taken back to Sabarmati jail after the court sentenced him to life imprisonment for the abduction of Umesh Pal in 2006. Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Raju Pal in 2005, was shot dead in Prayagraj on February 24. Atiq is also among the accused in the Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder cases.
Atiq’s lawyer Khan Saulat Hanif and associate Dinesh Pasi were also found guilty of the abduction of Umesh Pal. Khan Saulat and Dinesh are lodged in Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj.
