In an update on the Umesh Pal murder case, it was revealed that gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf have been in touch via the iPhone application FaceTime. Police also revealed that the gangster planned the murder from prison and also made all the preparations to rescue his son Asad Ahmed from the case and demonstrate his presence in Lucknow.
Atiq Ahmed is being held in Sabarmati Prison in Gujarat while his brother Ashraf is being held in Bareilly Prison in UP. Reportedly, Ashraf’s brother-in-law Saddam used to go to Bareilly’s prison to meet Ashraf and get him to talk to Atiq. STF kept a close eye on Saddam’s activities and constantly listened to the conversation between Atiq and Ashraf. After that, the duo started using the FaceTime app. According to the reports, Atiq had also communicated with the killers of Umesh Pal.
The two reportedly spent most of their time chatting about land deals and litigation. Angered by Umesh Pal’s increasing interference in some affairs, Ashraf urged Atiq “to settle the score”. At the same time, Atiq spoke of resolving the matter through mediators.
In addition, the gangster had taken all precautions to carry out the murder of Umesh Pal and save his son Asad. According to the police, Mohammad Asad’s mobile phone was in Lucknow at the time of the incident. Not only that, during the incident money was withdrawn from Asad’s ATMs in Lucknow.
Police have examined the CCTV footage of the murder and identified Asad in the video. However, according to police, Asad left his phone and ATM card in Lucknow on purpose to deviate from the evidence in the case.
Umesh Pal, a key eyewitness to the 2005 murder of then BSP MLA Raju Pal, was shot dead at his home in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on February 24. Umesh Pal was immediately taken to a hospital but died during treatment. After reviewing CCTV video from the crime scene, Prayagraj Police have identified the criminals. According to the authorities, a list of suspects and further information for further necessary measures has been compiled.
Based on the complaint filed by Umesh Pal’s wife, Jaya Pal, police also booked Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, his wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Gulam, and nine others. It is noteworthy that Atiq and Ashraf are the main defendants in the Raju Pal murder case.
The accused were charged under sections 147 (riot), 148 (riot, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Explosives Act and the Criminal Code Amendment Act.
