Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's son Asad, wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police in Jhansi on Thursday, officials said.
Another accused, Ghulam, was also shot dead during the encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, said Special Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prasahant Kumar.
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"Asad and Ghulam were wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case of Prayagraj and were carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh each. They were killed in an encounter with the UP STF team," he said.
"The UP STF team was led by Deputy SP Navendu and Vimal. Sophisticated foreign made weapons were recovered from the accused. Further details are awaited," the officer added.
The bodies of the two deceased were taken to Jhansi Medical College for examination.
Umesh Pal murder case
Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of then BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his home in Prayagraj's Dhoomanganj area on February 24 this year. Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf, Asad, Ghulam and others.
The FIR was lodged under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
Following the encounter, Umesh Pal's mother Shanti Devi thanked Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.
"I thank CM Yogi ji for serving justice and I appeal to him to give us justice ahead also. We have full faith in CM," she said.
"This is a tribute to my son," she added.
As soon as the news of his encounter hit the headlines, an old video of him shooting Umesh Pal resurfaced on social media. Asad in the video is shooting at someone in a busy road.
UP's Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya upheld the encounter. Maurya said that people are happy with their encounter and the police persisted which is why the two accused have died.
He also said he congratulates the police team. "This is new India's new Uttar Pradesh," he added.
Police version of the incident
The police, according to TV reports, stated that the STF fired in retaliation. Asad and other accused, Ghulam, were hiding in a dam between two police stations. The encounter happened near Parichha dam.
Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf brought to CJM court amid tight security
A police van carrying convicted gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother former MLA Ashraf on Thursday arrived at Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Prayagraj in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.
Heavy security was seen deployed outside the court.
Prayagraj police unit is likely to plead for a 14-day custody remand of Atiq and his brother Ashraf to question them, officials said.
On April 12, police brought these two criminals from Sabarmati Jail and Bareilly Jail to Prayagraj's Naini Jail.
Earlier, Ashraf was shifted to Bareilly jail while Atiq was being brought to Gujarat's Sabarmati jail.
