CBI Court Convicts Seven In 2005 Raju Pal Murder Case

A special CBI court in Lucknow has convicted seven individuals for the 2005 killing of former Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal. The case also involved gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad as an accused.

According to news agency PTI, legal proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime accused Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, and Gulbul alias Rafiq were abated after their deaths.

The convicted individuals are Farhaan Ahmad, Abdul Kavi, Ranjeet Pal, Israr Ahmad, Javed, Gulhasan, and Abid.

Raju Pal, a BSP leader from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, was assassinated on January 25, 2005, due to political rivalry with Atiq Ahmad's brother Ashraf. Pal had defeated Ashraf in the 2004 bypoll to the Prayagraj West seat.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2016. The Special Judge CBI, Lucknow, found Ranjeet Pal, Abid, Farhan Ahmad, Israr Ahmad, Javed, Gulhasan, and Abdul Kavi guilty of criminal conspiracy and murder, among other serious charges. Farhan Ahmad was additionally found guilty under the Indian Arms Act.

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in a sensational on-camera shooting on April 15 last year while in police custody near a medical college in Prayagraj. Journalists captured the incident on camera as the duo was being escorted to the hospital by the police for a medical checkup. At least two assailants were seen firing from close range at Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf, who fell to the ground while police personnel subdued the attackers.