Gangster Atiq Ahmed killed: UP CM Yogi orders probe; Sec 144 imposed

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath suspended 17 Police officers and ordered a high-level inquiry after jailed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Saturday night.

The Chief Minister also instructed the officials to form a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission in the matter.

The shooting that occurred around 10 pm was caught on camera as mediapersons were following the handcuffed duo, who were being taken to the hospital by police for a medical checkup.

A senior police officer told news agency PTI that three people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred just two days after Ahmed's son was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi.

Section 144 imposed in UP

Meanwhile, section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been imposed across Uttar Pradesh and all police stations have been ordered to increase patrols and be on high alert. All leaves of cops have been cancelled. Cops from reserve forces have also been ordered deployment.

Both of them had been brought to Pryagraj for a court hearing in connection with the 2005 Umesh Pal murder case.

The tragic end of Ahmed and his brother came on a day the ex-MP's son Asad, who was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, was buried in Prayagraj.

Ahmed and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence here on February 24.

Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Ahmed, Ashraf, Ahmed's wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others.

(with PTI inputs)