The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in a joint operation with the Prayagraj Police have arrested Atiq Ahmed's brother-in-law, Akhlaq Ahmed from Meerut, in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.
According to the police, Akhlaq Ahmed had a key role in financing the shooters of Umesh Pal, who was a prime witness in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal.
Police had earlier questioned Akhlaq Ahmed multiple times in the Umesh Pal murder case. He has now been arrested from Meerut, said a home department spokesman.
Umesh Pal was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on February 24.
Atiq Ahmed is the main accused in the murder case of BSP legislator Raju Pal, which took place in 2005. He is also accused of killing Umesh Pal, the prime witness of Raju Pal's murder.
An MP-MLA court has held mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and two others guilty in the 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for life.
This was Atiq Ahmed's first conviction even though more than 100 cases are registered against the former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP.
Akhlaq Ahmed is the husband of Shaista Noori, Atiq Ahmed's sister, who went to Prayagraj with the mafia from Sabarmati Jail.
She was also present at Bareilly Jail when the process to bring her younger brother Ashraf to Prayagraj began.
Ashraf and six others have been acquitted in the 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case.
Interestingly when Shaista Noori reached the Bareilly Jail to ensure the safety of her brother, the Prayagraj police arrested her husband Akhlaq Ahmed from Meerut.
Akhlaq Ahmed had been on police radar for funding the shooters of Umesh Pal.
Garbage dumping row triggers protest in Kamalpur
Alleged dumping of garbage into a privately owned pond in Rishipara under Ward No. 2 of the Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Dhalai district has sparked outrage among local residents, who have demanded immediate intervention by the administration to address the growing environmental and public health concerns.
Police personnel accused of performing duty under influence of alcohol at Mata Bari; Probe Demanded
Allegations that a police personnel was performing duty under the influence of alcohol at the revered Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Gomati district, have triggered widespread concern, with the incident drawing significant attention on social media.
Woman dies, minor injured after car crashes into house in South
A 45-year-old woman lost her life and a 10-year-old girl was injured after a WagonR car allegedly went out of control and hit them near Kalachhara Railway Station in South Tripura district on Sunday morning.
CWG 2026: Preeti, Jaismine, Sakshi, Sachin win as India rule boxing ring with seven gold
Indian boxing scripted history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Saturday by bagging seven gold medals — the highest-ever gold haul for the country in the competition.
Five NE states record below-normal monsoon rainfall in June-July despite widespread floods
Even as several Northeastern states were battered by heavy rains, floods and landslides during July, five of the region's eight states recorded below-normal monsoon rainfall so far due to weak rain-bearing systems over the Bay of Bengal, the absence of active monsoon troughs and the influence of El Nino, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said on Saturday.
Blood donation movement witnessing a renaissance in Tripura: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that there is currently a renaissance in the blood donation movement in the state. Along with creating a sense of spirituality through blood donation, a sweet bond is developed between the blood donor and the recipient.
Ahmedabad to officially receive Commonwealth Games Flag, Host Baton at Glasgow closing ceremony
Ahmedabad's preparations to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games will formally begin on Sunday when the city receives the Commonwealth Games flag and the Host Baton during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
AGMC to be top medical, research centre in NE: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said the state government is working relentlessly to transform the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital into one of the best medical education, research and super-speciality healthcare institutions in Northeast India, while strengthening the state’s overall healthcare ecosystem.