Atiq Ahmed Murder: UP Cops’ Version Not Bulletproof, Here Are 10 Unanswered Questions

Even as the Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, there are glaring loopholes in their version of the Saturday’s incident, which give rise to more questions than answers.

Atiq and Ashraf, who were arrested in connection with the killing of Umesh Pal in February this year, were gunned down in Prayagraj late Saturday night by three men posing as journalists, while the siblings were being taken to a hospital under police escort. Within two weeks, this was the second time when Atiq was brought to Prayagraj to appear before the court.

Citing a statement issued by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police R K Vishwakarma, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said the SIT was formed on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police of Prayagraj.

In order to ensure qualitative investigation and time-bound action, a three-member team of supervisors has also been formed. This team is headed by the additional director general of police of Prayagraj. The other two members are the commissioner of police of Prayagraj and the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Lucknow, the statement said.

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME?

There was a visible change in the security detail around Atiq, from what was seen earlier on his first visit to Prayagraj from Sabarmati jail, where he was lodged after his conviction in the Umesh Pal kidnapping case.

From being ferried around in a Vajra vehicle in the presence of cops wearing bulletproof vests, he was moved around in a police jeep during his remand period.

While during his earlier visit, the media was largely kept away from him, it was not the case this time around.

THE QUESTIONS

There is a long list of unanswered questions too:

With PTI Inputs

Read all the Latest India News here