Killing of Atiq Ahmed: SC questions UP government's security arrangement, asks for an enquiry report

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta also asked for a comprehensive report from the UP government on the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed. The duo were killed in an open area when they were being taken to the hospital.

New Delhi : Questioning the security system of Uttar Pradesh government regarding the killing of gangster politician Atique Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed which took place on April 15 at Prayagraj when they were being taken to a hospital for medical check-up in police custody, the Supreme Court on Friday sought a "comprehensive affidavit" from the Uttar Pradesh government on the steps taken to enquire into the killings of the duo.

The bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) plea by Advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking an independent inquiry into the killings of the Ahmed brothers. During the hearing, the bench asked the UP Government how the killers got the knowledge that Ahmed brothers were being taken to the hospital. The bench also asked why the police made Ahmed brothers walk till the hospital entry gate instead of taking them there in the ambulance.

In his submission Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, on behalf of the UP government, urged the bench not to issue notice, saying that the state government had been probing into the two deaths. Rohatgi stated that Atique and his entire family had been embroiled in heinous crimes for the last 30 years, and it is possible that they were killed by those whose wrath they had encountered.

He further explained that the killers came in the guise of news photographers, carrying cameras and fake identity cards. There were 50 people present at the scene, and more people outside, which is how they managed to kill Atique and Ashraf.

Then the bench asked Rohatgi why the brothers were not taken to the hospital gate in an ambulance and were made to walk and parade. Rohatgi replied that the distance was very short, and the assailants had been going for three days in a row due to the court's judgment that any accused in police custody must be taken for a medical examination every two days.

At around 10 PM on April 15, Atique and his brother Ashraf were being escorted to a city hospital for medical examination after Atique's transfer to Naini central jail in Prayagraj and his conviction in a 2007 Umesh Pal abduction case by a court in Uttar Pradesh.

The media was present and questioning them when three attackers, disguised as journalists, approached and shot the Ahmed brothers at close range. This shocking incident occurred in front of the media and was broadcast live on news channels, sparking widespread public discussion.