LUCKNOW: In a shocking turn of events, Atiq Ahmad, a former gangster-turned-politician, was shot dead on Saturday in Prayagraj, just two days after his son Asad Ahmad was killed in an encounter. According to reports, the firing took place inside the Dhoomanganj Police Station in Prayagraj, where Atiq Ahmad had gone to meet his lawyer.
As per news agency PTI, two-three people opened fire on Ahmad, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the CCTV footage from the police station to identify the culprits.
उत्तर प्रदेस: गैंगस्टर अतीक अहमद और उनके भाई अशरफ अहमद की प्रयागराज में मेडिकल के लिए ले जाते समय गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी गई। pic.twitter.com/7nSOKmgWGu
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 15, 2023
According to report, All three shooters involved in the killing have been nabbed by the UP Police, while one police constable Maan Singh sustained a minor injury.
Atiq Ahmad, who was a former MP from Phulpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, was known for his criminal background and had over 40 criminal cases registered against him, including murder, extortion, and kidnapping. However, he later joined politics and was elected as an MP on a Samajwadi Party ticket in 2004.
His son, Asad Ahmad, was also involved in criminal activities and was killed in an encounter with the police on Thursday. The last rites of Asad were performed on Saturday, but Atiq was not present at the funeral as he was shot dead earlier in the day.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, with many politicians and leaders condemning the killings. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter and directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for the killings.
The killings of Atiq Ahmad and his son Asad Ahmad have once again highlighted the issue of increasing criminal activities in the state and the nexus between politics and crime. The incident also raises questions about the safety and security of individuals in police custody and the need for stricter laws to deal with criminals and their families.