In recent developments, the Yogi Adityanath-led government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) presented a comprehensive status report to the Supreme Court of India, emphasizing that the state police bear no fault regarding the assassination of Atiq Ahmed, the notorious gangster-turned-politician, and his sibling, Ashraf Ahmed.

This submission to the apex court comes over a month subsequent to its directive to the UP administration. The Supreme Court had earlier instructed the state to provide an affidavit detailing the investigation progress related to the encounters of seven renowned gangsters: Prem Prakash Pandey, Atul Dubey, Amar Dubey, Prabhat Mishra, Praveen Dubey, Vikas Dubey, and Asad Ahmed.

Furthermore, the distinguished bench, comprising Supreme Court Justices Aravind Kumar and S Ravindra Bhat, also instructed the UP government to furnish details specifically concerning the case of the assassination of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf. The state's response is expected to shed light on one of the most significant and intricate criminal investigations in the region.

The Supreme Court's directive from August 11th of this year was a response to the petition put forth by advocate Vishal Tiwari. Addressing this, the Uttar Pradesh government, in its status report, asserted that the investigations into these high-profile cases followed every guideline laid down by the apex court meticulously.

Most notably, the state emphasized that the police acted without fault regarding the assassination of Atiq Ahmed, a figure notorious for his dual identity as both a gangster and politician, and his brother, Ashraf Ahmed. Providing clarity on the steps taken, the report revealed the formation of a 3-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) dedicated to probing the details surrounding this case.

The status report underlined the involvement of the accused individuals: Sunny Singh, also known by aliases 'Purane Singh' and 'Mohit', Lavlesh Tiwari, and Arun Kumar Mauhad. These individuals were found to have executed the crime in a premeditated manner. Their scheming included lodging in a hotel using counterfeit Aadhar cards prior to the act. This discovery led to the inclusion of several sections from the IPC – 34, 419, 420, 467, 468, and 471 – in the case, each pointing towards various degrees of crime, fraud, and forgery associated with the incident. The report is a testament to the state's commitment to providing a transparent account of their investigative procedures and findings.

In a development that has been keenly followed, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government provided a comprehensive update regarding the assassination case of Atiq Ahmed, the gangster-politician, and his brother, Ashraf Ahmed. The police had earlier submitted a chargesheet on July 12th, emphasizing their commitment to the rule of law. The subsequent procedure saw the District and Sessions Judge of Prayagraj taking note, post which the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) also acknowledged the gravity of the matter.

With a stern tone, the government's status report underscored its dedication to the process, stating, “it is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the incidents which includes the murder of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf. The sweeping allegations made against it are completely false and unjustified.”

Criminal Record of Atiq Ahmed and Context of his Assassination

The 15th of April witnessed a tragedy as Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf fell victim to point-blank gunfire in Prayagraj. Notably, a mere two days before this incident, on April 13, 2023, Atiq's son, Asad Ahmed, and his close associate, Ghulam, met a similar fate in an encounter operation led by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Ahmed's criminal history was extensive and checkered. During his time, an astonishing 102 cases were filed against him, covering a spectrum from threats and attempted murders to kidnappings. In a significant past incident dated January 25, 2005, Raju Pal, an MLA from BSP, and his entourage became the target of an armed assault near Dhoomanganj police station in Prayagraj, adding to the long list of violent episodes associated with Ahmed.

As this investigation progresses, it stands as a testament to the complexities and intricacies of maintaining law and order in a region where criminal-political nexuses have historically been strong. This case will undoubtedly serve as a precedent, determining the course of how similar future situations are addressed.

The Dhoomanganj police station became a hub of activity when an FIR was registered concerning the chilling murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005. The report not only named Atiq Ahmed but also included his brother, Ashraf, alongside seven unidentified individuals. The complaint, leading to the FIR, was brought forth by the late MLA's grieving wife, Pooja.

In an unsettling turn of events, the primary witness of this very murder, Umesh Pal, met a tragic end earlier this year. On February 24, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, he was brutally gunned down in proximity to his residence. The gravity of this attack was further intensified as two police officers, tasked with ensuring the lawyer's safety, also lost their lives in the ambush.

Atiq Ahmed's Notorious Reputation in Uttar Pradesh's Crime Scene

The thread of violence and criminal activity is inseparably woven with Atiq Ahmed's name. Not only was he, along with his son Asad and brother Ashraf (a former MLA), a central figure in the Raju Pal murder case, but his list of dubious distinctions also included being the first individual to be booked under Uttar Pradesh's 'Gangster Act'. Ahmed's entrenched involvement in a plethora of criminal activities remains a significant concern, emphasizing the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the region.

The complexities surrounding Atiq Ahmed's dealings and the associated violent episodes illuminate the intertwined nature of crime and politics in certain parts of the country. As the layers of this case continue to unravel, the state's commitment to justice and the rule of law will be sternly tested.

Delving deeper into Atiq Ahmed's life reveals a saga of criminality that began at an astonishingly young age. At just 17, he had already been accused of murder. This early brush with the law marked the onset of a journey that would see him rise to such notoriety that even the infamous dons of Mumbai found themselves overshadowed by his reputation.

A consequential event in his criminal portfolio was the 1995 'guest house case,' where he was accused of attacking Mayawati. But Ahmed's reach was not restricted to domestic matters; international ties soon became evident. According to the charge sheet presented by the Uttar Pradesh Police, he held connections with terrorist outfits based in Pakistan. The gangster himself openly admitted to maintaining regular communication with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, as well as terrorist groups such as the LeT. Further solidifying these claims was his connection with Dawood Ibrahim’s infamous D-Company. The degree of their collaboration was such that arms would be supplied to Ahmed via drones dispatched from Pakistan, primarily within the Punjab region.

The starting point of this entangled web dates back to 1979, when the first complaint against Ahmed was officially filed. This itself is a testament to the long, tumultuous, and undoubtedly influential criminal history he held in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

In retrospect, Atiq Ahmed's life presents a profound case study into the realms of crime, politics, and international intrigue. As the state and its instruments work diligently to unearth the entirety of his operations, one can only hope for a future where such intricate networks of crime are curtailed, and justice prevails unimpeded.