Live: Accused Shooters in Atiq Ahmed Murder Case Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody
The Uttar Pradesh Police said in their FIR that the accused persons wanted to 'wipe out' Atiq Ahmed and his 'gang'.
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Atiq Ahmed murder live updates: Former Member of Parliament and gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf, were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Saturday, 15 April, in the presence of police and the media.
The two were shot by three assailants while being taken for medical examination. The alleged attackers, identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22), Mohit alias Shani Purane (23) and Arun Kumar Maurya (18), are now in police custody.
The murder was caught on live television as Atiq and Ashraf were talking to reporters when the firing took place.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called for a high-level meeting at his residence and ordered for a probe by a three-member judicial committee.
The police have arrested Lavlesh Tiwari, Mohit alias Shani Purane and Arun Kumar Maurya and have also filed an FIR in the case.
The killings come just two days after Atiq's son Asad and his associate Mohammad Ghulam were killed in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) on 13 April in Jhansi.
Opposition leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi have slammed the Yogi Adityanath government over these failures of law and order.
Former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Atiq Ahmed was recently convicted in a kidnapping case. He was also an accused in two high-profile cases including the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal and the February 2023 murder of Umesh Pal, who was a witness in the Raju Pal murder case.
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Two Accused in Police Custody
Sources in the Uttar Pradesh police told The Quint that two attackers were nabbed from the spot and they're currently in police custody. As per police sources, the accused disguised as mediapersons opened fire from point blank range killing both Atiq and Ashraf on the spot.
'Jai Shri Ram Slogans' Heard in Video
In a purported video of the incident, accessed by The Quint, 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans were heard at the spot right after the two were killed.
Video Producer/Editor: Shohini Bose
‘Crime at Its Peak in UP’: Akhilesh Yadav
Taking to Twitter, former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the morale of criminals in the state has peaked.
"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be shot dead openly amidst police presence, what about the safety of the general public? An atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, and it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," he wrote in his tweet.
'Law and Order Failure,' Says Asaduddin Owaisi
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that Atiq's murder is a testimony of the Yogi Adityanath government's failure.
'Attackers Disguised as Mediapersons': Prayagraj Police Commissioner
Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma in his statement said that as per preliminary information, three people disguised as mediapersons shot Atiq and his brother Ashraf while they were being taken for procedural medical checkup.
He added that a news reporter and a police constable were also injured in the incident.
CM Yogi Adityanath Chairs High-Level Meet
Taking cognisance of the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called a high-level meet. As per the UP Police, the chief minister has also directed the formation of a three-member judicial commission to probe the matter.
'Some Decisions Are Taken by Nature': UP Minister Suresh Khanna
Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Khanna, while speaking to the media on the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed said that the UP government has a "zero-tolerance" policy for crime.
"Some decisions are made by nature. UP government has tried its level best to maintain law and order in the state. We have a zero tolerance policy for crime," he said.
Section 144 Imposed Across Uttar Pradesh
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed in districts across the state of Uttar Pradesh.
'Law and Order is in Shambles in UP': Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad
Taking to Twitter, Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad said that the killing of Atiq Ahmed is an example of rising violence and terrorism in the state.
"This is not just a murder case but a sample of violence and terrorism growing under the patronage of power. There is no such thing as law and order left in UP. Murders happen openly in the custody of the police. Yogi government has failed. President's rule should be imposed in Uttar Pradesh now," Aazad said.
'Serious Investigation Needed,' Says Former DGP of J&K on Atiq Ahmed Being Shot Dead in Prayagraj
'A Fellow Journalist Saved My Life': PTI Reporter
PTI journalist Pankaj Srivastava who was present at the location when Atiq and his brother Ashraf were taken for medical examination said, "A fellow journalist pushed me on the ground and saved my life. Or else I would have been hit by a bullet."
Security Beefed Up, Police Conducts Flag March
UP Police has been conducting flag marches in various parts of the state like Old Lucknow and Ayodhya. This comes after the government imposed Section 144 in the state.
UP CMO Instructs Police to Stay on Alert
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office has instructed police officers to stay on alert, ensure peace, and maintain law & order in the state so that the public doesn’t face any trouble. Adityanath has also appealed to people to not pay any attention to rumours. The Chief Minister's Office has also stated that strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours, reported news agency ANI.
Police Officials Leave CM Residence
UP police officials leave CM Yogi Adityanath's residence hours after he called for a high-level meeting.
As per the UP Police, the chief minister has also directed the formation of a three-member judicial commission to probe the matter.
'Gunshots Were Heard When They Entered the Hospital' Atiq's Lawyer
Atiq Ahmed's advocate Vijay Mishra, while describing the incident said that, "The police took them out of the van and were taking them for a medical checkup. As they entered the medical campus, gunshots were heard in which Atiq and Ashraf were killed."
'Atiq had Over 100 FIRs Against Him': Police
A police official on Sunday, 16 April said that deceased Atiq Ahmed had over 100 FIRs against him, where as Ashraf had over 57 FIRs against him, reported news agency ANI.
Cryptic Tweet From UP Minister
Soon after the killing of Atiq and his brother Ashraf, UP Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, in a cryptic tweet said that, "Sin and virtue are accounted for in this life itself..."
'Not Possible Without Complicity of Ruling Party': RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary
(Photo: Altered by The Quint)
“It was not possible for this plan to have been implemented without the complicity of the party in government," RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary told The Quint, in the hours after the murder of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, on Saturday, 15 April.
To read the full interview, click here.
'Aasmani Faisla’: Suresh Khanna, UP Minister
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister and BJP leader Suresh Khanna addressed the media after Atiq Ahmed and his brother were killed and said that it was 'aasmani faisla' (divine justice).
‘Two Murders in UP…’: Kapil Sibal’s Dig at State’s Law & Order Situation
Former Congress leader Kapil Sibal slammed the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh following the murder of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf.
The former Union Minister tweeted, "Two murders in UP: 1) Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf, 2) Rule of law."
How a Tongawallah's Son Became UP's Most Dreaded Gangster
Atiq Ahmed had been involved in crime for over four decades, and his political career spanned 34 years. But who was Atiq Ahmed, and how did his tryst with crime begin? The Quint's Political Editor Aditya Menon charts the rise and fall of the gangster-politician.
Click here to read the full profile.
'UP Has Become 'Encounter Pradesh'': BSP Chief Mayawati
BSP chief and former UP chief Minister Mayawati wrote, "Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf being shot dead in public, while they were in police custody, raises serious questions about the UP government's handling of law and order. It is akin to the murder of Umesh Pal that had taken place."
Police Patrol Near Crime Scene in Prayagraj
The Prayagraj District Magistrate and Police Commissioner's convoy is patrolling the area where Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on Saturday night.
Punishment Should Be Under the Law: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
In a tweet that seems to be a comment on Atiq Ahmed's murder, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote, "The law of our country is written in the constitution, this law is paramount. The criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land."
"Playing with or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is not right for our democracy," she added.
Dangerous for Democracy: Jairam Ramesh
Congress General Secretary (Communications) said, " Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them."
"It should be our collective endeavour to ensure that the judicial system and rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit," he further added in a statement released to the press.
We Wanted to Become Popular: Assailants in Police Interrogation
Uttar Pradesh Police has filed an FIR in the Atiq Ahmed murder case. As per the FIR, the assailants told the police in interrogation, "We wanted to kill gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf to become popular."
Murder in Presence of Police a Serious Matter: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut raised questions about the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Atiq Ahmed murder case. "A murder happened & sec 144 was imposed, the govt there (UP) did it. But if this incident took place despite the presence of (UP) police, then it is a serious matter. This raises a big question on law & order," said Raut, as per ANI.
What Was Umesh Pal Murder Cases in which Atiq Ahmed Was Accused?
Atiq Ahmed and his brother were convicted and sentenced for life imprisonment in connection with the Umesh Pal abduction case. The Umesh pal murder case was ongoing in court.
Lawyer Umesh Pal, a witness in a politician's murder case dating back to 2005, was killed by five men in February in a shootout outside his Prayagraj home along with his security guard.
The police said that the killing had been planned by Ahmed.
Atiq and Ashraf Were Probed for Links With ISI, Khalistanis: Police
The UP Police has claimed that Atiq and Ashraf were in touch with members of ISI and Khalistani elements.
"They were being probed about the same for days and had agreed to take us to the locations where these people are hiding," said the police in the FIR filed after their murder.
The brother duo was shot dead in Prayagraj by three assailants posing as mediapersons. "The van was stopped at the main gate and they hardly had to walk 10-15 steps for which the police had surrounded them for security. But 2-3 mediapersons breached that cover and managed to get close to both accused," the FIR states.
"Since they wanted to give bytes, we let them walk a little ahead of us. Suddenly, there were 2 mediapersons, one with a camera and one with a mic. They dropped the camera and mic and suddenly and swiftly took out arms and fired at both," it further said.
The alleged attackers, identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22), Mohit alias Shani Purane (23) and Arun Kumar Maurya (18), have been taken into police custody.
'UP Admin Must Be Held Accountable If They Don't Follow the Law': Kapil Sibal
Speaking on Atiq Ahmed's murder, Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal said that the UP administration must be brought to book if they do not follow the law.
Regarding Atiq's son Asad's encounter, Sibal told ANI: "He was a young boy (Asad), aged 19. How could be a threat to national security? If you want to catch him, hit him on his leg, prosecute him. Why do you want to kill him?"
'Attackers Wanted To Wipe Out His Gang': What UP Cops Said in FIR
The three assailants who allegedly murdered gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed "wanted to wipe out Atiq and his gang and establish supremacy in the criminal circles," according to the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The FIR also says that Atiq and Ashraf "were in touch with members of the ISI and Khalistani elements," and that they were being probed for the same. The duo had agreed to take the police to the locations of where the members were hiding, according to the police.
'Shocked By Total Collapse of Law & Order in UP': Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she is "shocked" by the "total collapse of law and order" in Uttar Pradesh.
Taking to Twitter, the TMC supremo said, "It is shameful that perpetrators are now taking the law in their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence. Such unlawful acts have no place in our constitutional democracy."
Asaduddin Owaisi Demands Yogi Adityanath's Resignation Over Atiq's Murder
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi demanded the resignation of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.
"You see the way the weapons were fired. It is cold-blooded murder and they (those involved in the killings) are professionals. How much is the role of BJP's Uttar Pradesh government...and who are these people who in the presence of police and media resorted to cold-blooded murder? Who told them? What is their background and why didn't the police stop them? Why the police did not fire a single bullet? A Supreme-Court-monitored investigation should be done into this incident," Owaisi was quoted as saying by PTI.
3-Member Judicial Committee To Submit Report to UP Govt Over Atiq’s Murder
A three-member judicial enquiry committee will submit its report to the UP government in two months over the murder of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf.
The committee comprises of retired Justice of the Allahabad HC Arvind Kumar Tripathi, retired IPS officer Subesh Kumar Singh, and retired district judge Brijesh Kumar Soni, news agency ANI reported.
'Atiq Killed to Divert Attention from 2019 Pulwama Attack Revelations': Mehbooba Mufti
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the murder of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf was a "clever diversionary tactic" to shift focus from the "revelations" made by former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik about the Pulwama attack.
In an interview with The Wire, Malik had alleged lapses in security that led to the killing of 40 CRPF jawans in Pulwama in 2019.
"Uttar Pradesh has slipped into anarchy and jungle raj. Cold blooded murders and lawlessness are being celebrated by rabid right wingers amidst slogans of Jai Shri Ram," Mufti said on Twitter.
Atiq Ahmed's Killers Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody
The three shooters who allegedly killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf have been sent to 14-day judicial custody, news agency ANI reported.
Bodies of Atiq, Ashraf Brought to Burial Ground Amid Tight Security
Bodies of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were brought to a burial ground in Prayagraj amid heavy police presence.