The murder of lawyer Umesh Pal in Prayagraj on February 24 has left behind a bloody trail of killings, but the case ultimately may not have any convicts -- the simple reason being that six main accused have been killed.
Ever since Umesh Pal's murder, a total of six of the eight accused have been killed in connection with the case.
Arbaaz, who was reportedly the driver of the killers' vehicle on February 24, was killed in an encounter on February 27 in Prayagraj.
Usman a.k.a. Vijay Chaudhary was killed on March 6 in another alleged encounter in Prayagraj.
Asad, son of Atiq Ahmad, and shooter Ghulam were killed in an encounter by police in Jhansi on April 13.
Asad and Ghulam were caught on camera firing shots at Umesh Pal.
The masterminds of the Umesh Pal murder, Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad, were shot dead at point-blank range by three men on Saturday night in Prayagraj.
Atiq Ahmad, a former Samajwadi Party MP, and his brother were brought to Prayagraj from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail for a court hearing in connection with Umesh Pal's murder case and were in police custody at the time of their killing.
The owner of Creta used in the crime, identified as Rukhsar Ahmed, was earlier nabbed from Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh.
Rukhsar Ahmed's name was registered in the documents of Creta and sources said he was the operator of a travel agency in Kareli, Prayagraj.
After the incident, Rukhsar had absconded with the family.
Nafees Ahmed, the owner of a Biryani eatery, had transferred the car to Rukhsar Ahmed, a resident of Kareli. Car owner Rukhsar Ahmed is said to be a close relative of Nafees Ahmed.
The remaining two other accused, Guddu Muslim and Sabir, are currently on the run and each carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh.
Shaista Parveen, wife of Atiq Ahmad, is also absconding. She carries a reward of Rs 50,000 on her head. She is named as a conspirator in the case.
According to STF sources, they have been tracking Guddu Muslim and Sabir for some time now and the two could be arrested soon.
It may be recalled that on the basis of the complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered at Dhoomanganj police station against Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam and nine others.
They have been booked under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Explosive Substances Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.