UP cops double reward on arrest of Ashraf's brother-in-law Saddam

Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday doubled the reward to Rs.1 lakh from Rs 50,000 on arrest of Saddam, brother-in-law of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed's brother Ashraf, as reported by news agency ANI. He is wanted in a case registered at Bithri Chainpur police station.

It is to be noted that Saddam is a brother-in-law of Ashraf Ahmed, reported news agency PTI. On April 15, Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead from point-blank range in Prayagraj while they were being taken for a medical check-up in Prayagraj area. The duo were buried at a graveyard in Prayagraj's Kasari Masari village.

According to reports, Saddam, Atiq's brother Ashraf Ahmed's brother-in-law, has reportedly fled to Dubai from a Bengal airport amidst the intense police crackdown.

It is being reported that Saddam used to facilitate meeting of certain people with Ashraf in the jail where he was lodged in. The police suspect that Saddam was involved in various criminal activities along with Atiq and his brother Ashraf.

On April 17, the police had announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone providing information leading to the arrest of Saddam, who is the brother-in-law of Ashraf.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Bareilly zone, P C Meena on Friday announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on Saddam's head, said Circle Officer (City-3) Ashish Pratap Singh.

Umesh Pal, the key witness in the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his police security guards Sandeep Nishad and Raghvendra Singh were shot dead on February 24 outside his home in Prayagraj's Dhoomanganj.

Following the murder, an FIR was filed at Bithri Chainpur police station here against Saddam, Ashraf, his henchman Lalla Gaddi, Bareilly district prison warden Shivhari Awasthi, canteen director Dayaram alias Nanhe, jail officers and employees on charges of conspiracy, extortion and giving protection to criminals, among others.

Nine accused, including Lalla Gaddi, were sent to jail on the grounds that they used to work for Saddam.

It was through Saddam and Lalla Gaddi that the accused met Ashraf illegally in Bareilly district jail on February 12, according to police.

Later in March, six district jail personnel, including the jailor and deputy jailor, were suspended for facilitating illegal meetings of visitors with Ashraf in prison.

It must be noted that the police are continuing their crackdown on Atiq's associates, and the recent developments have added to their difficulties.

The Uttar Pradesh police are determined to bring all those involved in criminal activities to justice and restore law and order in the state. The situation remains tense, and the police are leaving no stone unturned to apprehend those involved in criminal activities.