103 FIRs, 1,168 crore assets and a bloody gangsters mafia: Atiq’s history sheet
Uttar Pradesh’s Special Director General of Police Prashant Kumar has said the crackdown by the Yogi Adityanath government on gangster politician Atiq Ahmed’s illicit empire and other mafia is part of concerted efforts to stamp out gangsterism in the state.
According to findings of the state police, Ahmed was allegedly running an illicit empire of gangsters, history-sheeters, white-collar criminals who used unlicensed weapons, country-made bombs besides amassing wealth of nearly Rs 1,168 crore.
A total of 103 FIRs have been registered against Atiq, of which 54 cases are admitted in court for framing of charges, while in another 144 cases, action has been taken against his gang members; 68 cases registered against the use of unlicenced weapons and new history sheets have been opened against 22 criminals. Nearly 98 criminals face externment orders, banning them from entering the districts, while more than 20 others face charges under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities Act.
Atiq’s son, Asad Ahmed, wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case, had been on the run since the gruesome murder of Pal in broad daylight on February 24. Kumar said Atiq, lodged in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat facing life term, was being brought to Jhansi on April 13 when the special task force received intelligence inputs of a conspiracy being hatched by his close associates to free him. Asad was allegedly part of this plan and was killed in an exchange of fire with the UP police.
Excerpts from the exclusive interview-
1. Did the February 24 murder of Umesh Pal lead to the chase of Asad Ahmed by the UP police?
It was a daredevil act carried out by the gangsters in broad daylight on February 24. In the afternoon, the group of gangsters carrying unlicensed weapons, hurled locally manufactured bombs and gunned Umesh Pal, an important witness in a case ( related to the murder of BSP leader Raju Pal) and two policemen.
Pal’s murder by unmasked killers in broad daylight was a brazen attempt to terrorise his opponents and a defiance of the diktat of the state.
2. What was the police operation that led to the killing of Asad?
The Umesh Pal murder was deliberately led by Asad in order to deliver an unmistakable message about the passing over of the baton of Ateeq’s criminal empire.
He was caught on CCTV camera committing the brutal crime and was identified by the widow who lodged an FIR and named a few people including Asad and his associate Ghulam. Asad had been on the run since the murder of Umesh Pal.
Initially, a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh was announced on each of the accused which was later increased to Rs 5 lakh.
While they were evading arrest by the police, we received intelligence inputs that they were going to travel to Jhansi where Atiq was being produced in court. So when Atiq, who was lodged in Sabarmati jail, while being taken to attend the court proceedings, Asad and his associates would engage the police teams in firing to cover his escape. However, Asad was cornered in police firing and got injured. He was declared dead when brought to the hospital. Unlicenced weapons like foreign-made revolvers, pistol and several rounds of ammunition have been recovered from him.
3. There are concerns about ‘trigger-happy’ policemen and human rights violations in police encounters. How do you address them?
The baton and the bullets of a policeman are not mere ornaments. They are supposed to be used if the situation merits so.
There are certain guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in police encounter cases. These laid down procedures and processes need to be followed and we are doing that. We will be sending reports to the State Human Rights Commission and the National Human Rights Commission; an independent investigation into the encounter will be carried out by a police team of another police station; the post-mortem will be conducted by a panel of five doctors and interim reports will be shared with the NHRC and so on.
4. Has the fresh crackdown on Atiq Ahmed and his associates brought desired results?
Atiq Ahmed has 103 FIRs registered against him. But he isn’t alone. The entire criminal nexus involves white-collar criminals as well besides history-sheeters. We are tracking down all of them and we will ensure that all the groups involved, and the accused who are part of the conspiracy, face the law. The police action against gangsters is continuing. The family of Umesh Pal have thanked the police which has handled a challenging case very fast and is committed to bringing relief to the victims.