In a startling turn of events, former gangster and politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were fatally shot by attackers in Prayagraj on Saturday night while under police supervision and in the presence of the media.
The brothers were attacked during a medical examination at Colvin Hospital in Prayagraj and died instantly. Reports indicate that Atiq was shot at point-blank range in the head while speaking with journalists.
The siblings were handcuffed at the time of the incident, which occurred on the same day Atiq’s son Asad was buried in Prayagraj following his death in a police encounter in Jhansi on Thursday.
According to reports, three young men, two of whom have been apprehended, mingled with reporters interviewing Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf as they exited the hospital. Before Atiq could finish responding to a question, one of the attackers shot him in the head, while the other two fired at Ashraf. After the brothers collapsed, the assailants raised their hands and surrendered.
The brothers were in town for a court hearing about the Umesh Pal murder case. Atiq’s son Asad and an associate were killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, and their funeral took place earlier in the day.
Atiq was serving a life sentence for the 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case. In response to Atiq Ahmed’s and his brother’s deaths, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh administration, stating that crime in the state has reached an all-time high and that criminals are emboldened. He expressed concern for the general public’s safety and the fear this type of violence generates.
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the state’s significant breakdown of law and order. He pointed out that Atiq and his brother were killed while handcuffed and in police custody and argued that those who celebrate “encounter-raj” share responsibility for the murders.
