Tag: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed

‘Opinion on Atiq’s Killing is Divided in Prayagraj; Some Hail It, Others Condemn It’

By LokMarg

Utkarsh Singh, a pharmacist in Prayagraj, says while some feel Atiq’s killing was destined others say such incidents undermine justice deliver system. His views

The recent killing of Atiq Ahmed, a former Member of Parliament, has shocked and outraged the people of Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmed has been a controversial figure in Prayagraj politics. He was known as a dreaded mafia don with a history of criminal activities but at the same time he also enjoyed popular support among a section of the Prayagraj electorate.

The killing has therefore sparked to diagonally opposite set of reactions. Some see it as a welcome end to a notorious underworld figure while others believe that such extrajudicial killings are a threat to the rule of law and the democratic process in the state. It all depends on which side of political spectrum are you from.

Those who see Ahmed’s killing as a positive development argue that he deserved to be punished for his past crimes: If you live by the gun, you will die by the gun. One reason for their support is our sluggish legal system where justice is either delayed or provides many a loophole for the criminals to continue operating even from inside the jails. This group also lists out Atiq’s involvement in multiple cases of murder, extortion, and other criminal acts. They believe that the death of such a person will send a strong message to other criminals and act as a deterrent for others to take such a course.

ALSO READ: ‘There is Something Definitely Fishy About Atiq’s Killing’

The other set of group in Prayagraj believes that violence can never be the answer and the live-on-camera killing only shows UP police in poor light which will embolden other criminals. This group feels our political leaders should set an example for the community by resolving their differences peacefully and avoid rhetoric statements such as “mitti me mila denge” (will reduce them to dust)

I too feel that no matter what a person’s past is, extrajudicial killings cannot be justified. Such killings undermine the rule of law and democracy. Many have pointed out that the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a fair trial and due process of law. Ahmed too should have been brought to judicial trial and held accountable for his crimes through legal means.

There are also concerns about the potential impact of Ahmed’s killing on the upcoming state elections. Ahmed was a leader of the Apna Dal (S), a small regional party which has been seeking to expand its presence in the region. His death could have implications for the party’s fortunes in the upcoming polls.

Overall, the killing has stirred up strong emotions and debates in Prayagraj. While some see it as a necessary step in the fight against crime, others believe that it is a dangerous precedent that could have serious implications. In any case, the incident has highlighted the need for a greater focus on addressing the issue of crime and violence in the region, as well as the need to strengthen the rule of law and ensure justice for all.

As told to Deepti Sharma

Atiq’s Killing is Not a Simple Story of Crime & Punishment; There is Something Fishy’

By LokMarg

Tariq Umar, a businessman from Prayagraj, says the role and professionalism of Uttar Pradesh Police is also suspect in the killing of gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed. His views:

There is a popular saying that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, who were killed live on camera from point-blank range, were dreaded gangsters who had unleashed reign of terror in Prayagraj. Every criminal, big or small, is destined to be brought to justice sooner or later. Probably, the same happened in the gangster-turned-politicians Atiq and Ashraf.

Having said that I must add that there is more to theses killings than meets the eye. It looks like a well thought out and cleverly planned conspiracy to eliminate the duo. And the role and professionalism of the police team accompanying the two convicts also creates suspicions of the killings being pre-planned. While UP Police of late is being praised for neutralising criminals, this particular incident shows them in poor light.

There was also pure negligence of the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court regarding handling and protection of criminals in custody. The manner in which the convicts were being produced late in the evening, surrounded by TV News Channels, also raises doubts about the legal procedures being followed.

I have been a first-hand witness of the atrocities of Atiq Ahmed’s criminal activities. His musclemen once forcibly entered into the house of a family friend and threatened them openly to fall in line or face consequences. Another stark example of his atrocities were disclosed recently before a news channel by Sadiq, a witness of the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

Tariq says conspiracy theories abound over the killings

The media has already reported how judge after judge recused themselves from hearing the cases against Atiq Ahmed. When even higher judiciary is afraid of these gangsters, one can gauge how much influence and power they wielded in their hay days. It is believed that Atiq’s reach was everywhere, from the corridors of power in Lucknow, Delhi or courts and police stations.

ALSO READ: ‘Mastermind of Atiq’s Murder Still Behind The Curtain’

But this does not mean that the criminals be denied a fair trial. Any extra-judicial killings – be that in the case of Vikas Dubey or Atiq Ahmed, will only harm India’s criminal justice system. We need to strength people’s faith in justice.

Meanwhile, the matter has become a political football, where everyone is trying score a point either by expressing ‘sorrow’ and concern for the deceased family or by praising the elimination of the crimnal duo. Some are fanning a conspiracy theory that the plot to kill the two convicts was hatched in the chief minister’s office and Yogi Adityanath is the real ‘mastermind’ of this action.

As far as the citizens of Allahabad (now Prayagraj) are concerned, we feel the city has one criminal gang less now. This historic city has seen many criminals rise, prosper but ultimately razed to the ground. Such has been the fate destined by all of them by the Almighty.

Initially, most of us were more bothered by the suspension of Internet facilities in the city than the killing of Atiq and his brother. For internet impacted our daily life more. Thankfully, the region has by and large been peaceful and its lovely people are moving ahead with their routine life in the same pace.

As told to Rajat Rai

Footwear Garland for Atiq Ahmed.

Man Brings Footwear Garland To Court For Atiq Ahmed

By LokMarg

A man, identified as Varun, on Tuesday waited outside the MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj for hours holding a garland made of footwear, to ‘welcome’ the notorious gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed.

Ahmed was produced before the court for his hearing in Umesh Pal’s abduction case.
The man, a lawyer, said that the footwear the garland is made of was once owned by the family of Umesh Pal.

Umesh Pal was an advocate and a prime witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and he was shot dead in Prayagraj on February 24 this year.

“The entire Pal community and lawyer fraternity would be happy if I make Atiq Ahmed wear this garland of footwear,” Varun told the media persons outside the MP/MLA court.

“He (Atiq) killed a member of the lawyer community, and we all will be happy if he comes to hear the court’s verdict by wearing this garland of footwear. These are the footwear of family members of Umesh Pal and Raju Pal,” he added.

Earlier in the day Prayagraj court sentenced Atiq Ahmed to rigorous life imprisonment in the Umesh Pal abduction case.

The Court pronounced life sentences to Atiq Ahmed, Dinesh Pasi, and Khan Saulat Hanif in the case and has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on each of the three.

All the other seven accused in the case, including Ashraf, the brother of Atiq Ahmed have been acquitted.

“He (Atiq Ahmed) was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping my son but he should be given the death sentence for killing my son. I have faith in UP CM Yogi Adityanath and the judicial system,” Shanti Devi, mother of Umesh Pal said after the court’s verdict.

Jaya Devi, the widow of Umesh Pal said, “We are satisfied with the judgment as of now. Atiq Ahmed should be given a death sentence for killing my husband. We want justice and I request UP CM Yogi Adityanath to help us. If he and his brother will survive, it will be a problem for us and the society.”

Atiq Ahmed, a former MP, and MLA with over 100 cases registered against him was brought by Uttar Pradesh police from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail to Prayagraj’s Naini jail on Monday after an over 24-hour long drive from Gujarat.

Ahmed is also the main accused in the Umesh Pal murder case. (ANI)

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Atiq Ahmad

Atiq Ahmed Brought To Prayagraj, To Be Kept In Spl Barrack

By LokMarg

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed on Monday was brought to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj jail after an over 24-hour long drive from Gujarat.

Atiq Ahmed has been shifted to Prayagraj’s Naini jail from Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail as he has to be produced before a court on March 28 in connection with a kidnapping case.

Security was beefed up outside Naini jail and a heavy deployment of uniformed personnel was seen outside the jail premises.

Uttar Pradesh Jail Minister Dharamveer Prajapati told ANI that security has been tightened and a high-security barrack with mounted CCTV cameras has been prepared at Naini jail in Prayagraj (where Atiq Ahmed will be lodged).

Atiq Ahmed on Sunday was taken out by a 45-member team of Uttar Pradesh police from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail where he was lodged.

Earlier, Ahmed on Sunday expressed fear that he might be murdered while being taken to Prayagraj from Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Central jail by Uttar Pradesh police.

Stepping out of Sabarmati jail here Ahmed told reporters waiting outside that a conspiracy was is being hatched to kill him on the pretext of following court orders.

“Court Ke Kandhe Par Rakhkar Hume Maarna Chah Rahe Hai (They are using the court’s orders as a pretext to get me killed),” Atiq Ahmed said as he was being escorted inside a police van by a 45-member team of Uttar Pradesh police.

Ahmed is the main accused in the Umesh Pal murder case. Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two security personnel were shot dead in Prayagraj on February 24 this year.

Previously, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma on Sunday said that Atiq is to be produced before a court on March 28 in connection with a kidnapping case, the verdict of which is slated to be pronounced on the same day.

“Court has fixed March 28 as the date for the pronouncing the verdict in an old kidnapping case…All the accused have to be produced before the Court in this matter. To produce Mafia Atiq Ahmed before Court, an accused in this case, a police team has been sent to Sabarmati jail,” the Commissioner said.

Earlier, DG (prisons) Anand Kumar said that preparations have been made for Atiq in the Prayagraj jail. The jailed politician will be kept in a high-security barrack with a round-the-clock CCTV camera for surveillance.”Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed will be kept in isolation in a high-security barrack at the jail. His cell will have a CCTV camera. Jail staff will be chosen and deployed on the basis of their records, they will have body-worn cameras,” Kumar said.

“Prayagraj Jail office and Jail HQ will monitor round the clock through a video wall. DIG Jail HQ is being sent to ensure all the arrangements at Prayagraj Jail,” he added. (ANI)

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