Former SP MLA Ashraf Khalid Azeem arrested

Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf, who was wanted for his alleged involvement in over two dozen criminal cases, has been arrested. Police said Ashraf, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest, was a member of an inter-state gang and there are still many active members of the gang operating in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Prayagraj: Former Samajwadi Party MLA Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf, absconding for the last three years, has been arrested from Kaushambi district, police said.

Addressing the media, ADG of police Prem Prakash said, "The brother of jailed former SP MP Atique Ahmed said Ashraf was wanted for his alleged involvement in over two dozen criminal cases registered in various police stations of the district."

Police said that the arrested man has been a member of an inter-state gang and the police have increased pressure on other gang members as well.

He said the former SP MLA, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest, has been detained and is being interrogated.

The police came to know that he would visit his in-laws and kept an eye on him, he said, adding that they arrested him on Friday.

Ashraf’s brother Atique Ahmed is already in jail for the last three years.