Prayagraj MP-MLA Court awarded a life sentence to gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in the 2006 kidnapping of Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. The Court convicted Atiq Ahmed, Dinesh Pasi and Khan Saulat Hanif in the case, however, the other seven accused, including the brother of Atiq Ahmed – Ashraf – were acquitted. Reports claimed that Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf and another accused were present in court when the verdict was announced.
UMESH PAL’s FAMILY DEMANDS DEATH SENTENCE FOR ATIQ AHMED
Welcoming the court’s order, Shanti Devi, mother of Umesh Pal said, “It has been 18 years since my son was kidnapped. He was a fighter. I have faith in the court. He (Atiq Ahmed) was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping my son but he should be given a death sentence for the murder of my son. I have faith in UP CM Yogi Adityanath.”
“We are satisfied with the judgement 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: Jaya Devi, wife of Umesh Pal
UMESH PAL MURDER CASE
It may be recalled that after the killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal on January 25, 2005, Umesh Pal, then a zila panchayat member, had told the police that he was a witness to the murder. Umesh Pal alleged that when he refused to retract and buckle under pressure from Atiq Ahmad, he was kidnapped at gunpoint on February 28, 2006. Earlier this year on Feb 24, Umesh Pal was gunned down outside his Prayagraj residence. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were accused of being involved in a conspiracy, while they were both in prison, to kill Umesh Pal.
