3 August 2024: A judicial commission investigating the custodial deaths of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed has ruled out any pre-planned conspiracy or police negligence in the incident. The commission’s findings were presented to the Uttar Pradesh assembly on the concluding day of the monsoon session, reported the Siasat.
The five-member panel, led by former Allahabad High Court judge Dilip B. Bhosale, was appointed to probe the April 2023 shooting of the two brothers. Atiq and Ashraf were killed at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists during a police-escorted media interaction while being taken to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. The two were in custody for their involvement in the murder of Umesh Pal, a witness to the 2005 killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal.
The commission’s report stated, “The incident of 15th April 2023, in which accused Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf were shot dead by three unknown assailants, cannot be said to be the result of a pre-planned conspiracy executed by the State Police.”
The commission also cleared the police of any negligence, noting, “The incident was not the result of police negligence nor was it possible for them to avoid the incident.”
The report highlighted the necessity for media restraint in similar situations, recommending that live broadcasts of such events be regulated to prevent revealing the movements and activities of the police and the accused. It also advised against media briefings on ongoing investigations to avoid hampering the process.
Umesh Pal and his police security guard were shot dead outside his home in Prayagra’s Dhoomanganj area in February 2023.
The commission’s recommendations call for tighter control over media coverage during sensitive police operations, aiming to balance the public’s right to information with the need for security and effective law enforcement.
