Gangster And Former MP Atiq Ahmed Gets Life Sentence Along With Two Others In 2006 Kidnapping Case

Atiq Ahmed and two others received life sentences from a Prayagraj court for their involvement in the abduction of Umesh Pal in 2006.

Ahmed's brother Khalid Azim, also known as Ashraf, was among the seven persons acquitted in the case.

Ahmed is a former member of parliament (MP) and member of the legislative assembly (MLA). He faces over 100 criminal cases, including murder and kidnapping.

The gangster-turned-politician was transferred by Uttar Pradesh police from a Gujarat prison to Prayagraj after 24 hours on the road on 27 March.

Earlier today (28 March), Ahmed was convicted, just over a month after the murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal.

Umesh Pal and two police bodyguards were fatally shot during a shootout in Prayagraj on 24 February.

According to UP police, Ahmed allegedly orchestrated the killing of Umesh Pal as he was identified by Umesh Pal as the main suspect in the Raju Pal murder case of 2005.

Pal previously claimed he was kidnapped at gunpoint in 2006 for refusing to retract his statement to the authorities.

The Prayagraj court verdict today afternoon pertains to that case of kidnapping.