Three days after the gruesome killing of Umesh Pal, prime witness in the MLA Raju Pal’s murder, along with his police gunner, the Uttar Pradesh Police shot dead one of the seven suspects involved in the killings here on Monday.
Arbaaz, who was involved in the murder of Umesh Pal and constable Sandeep Nishad in Dhoomanganj on Friday last, was killed in an encounter, confirmed ADG (Law & Order) Prashant Kumar.
Arbaaz was driving the vehicle from which the shooters attacked Umesh Pal. After the car used in the attack was recovered in the Chakia area, the police spotted the accused Arbaaz from the engine and chassis number.
On Monday afternoon, on the information of Arbaaz’s presence in the Peepal village area, the police laid siege. Seeing the police, Arbaaz opened fire but was killed in retaliatory firing from the police party. Dhumanganj inspector also received injury in his right hand in the encounter.
ADG said a .32 bore pistol was recovered from the procession of the criminal.
Meanwhile, police security in and around civil court was enhanced on Monday morning following reports of surrender by Mafia don Atiq Ahmed’s son, who has been accused in the murder. But Atiq’s son Asad did not turn up.
Earlier, the incident, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced in the state assembly that the criminals would not be spared and they will be buried in the soil.
Today’s encounter was the first action against the last Friday’s killing of Umesh Pal and his gunner.
The police said UP STF have swung into action to crack the murder of Umesh Pal, the eyewitness of the MLA Raju Pal murder case. Efforts are being made to trace the killers by raiding a total of 14 possible places in the state. Along with this, a team has also been sent to Madhya Pradesh.
STF’s Prayagraj, Varanasi and Lucknow units have been activated. ADG Law & Order Prashant Kumar is keeping an eye on the whole matter. Umesh Pal’s family has filed a case against Atiq Ahmed’s family after seeing the CCTV footage. Umesh Pal’s mother Shanti Pal said that Atiq’s son was firing at her son along with 2 of his accomplice.
The STF and police teams have detained more than 40 operatives of Mafia Atiq Ahmed in connection with the murder of Umesh Pal.
In the Umesh Pal murder case, Atiq Ahmed’s close friends and henchmen were also being interrogated. Most of his close relatives are lodged in various jails of the state. STF teams are going to the jail and questioning them. One team each of STF has gone to Gujarat and interrogated the mafia Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf who is lodged in Bareilly Jail. Along with this, information is being collected by interrogating both his sons who are in jail in connection with another murder.
Umesh Pal’s driver Pradeep Sharma has also been questioned by the police. His call details records are being scrutinised. Pradeep did not even get a scratch during the attack. For this reason, he has been kept in the category of suspects.
Even on the third day after the murder of Umesh Pal, there was silence in the Umesh Pal’s house in Sulem Sarai. The shops in the locality remained closed and the RAF and police force remained deployed.
On the other hand, Atiq’s wife Shaista Praveen has written a letter to UP chief minister of threat to the life of her husband lodged in Ahmedabad Jail. She also demanded that a CBI probe should be ordered as her family has been implicated in the murder.
Former MLA Puja Pal, wife of slain MKA Rajun Pal and family members of deceased Umesh Pal too have demanded security as they were receiving treating calls after the murder.
Meanwhile, BSP has ruled out expulsion of Shaista Praveen, wife of Atiq, from the party after her family has been accused in the murder of Umesh Pal and his security personnel. Mayawati tweeted on Monday that the party will not take action against Shaista until the allegation is proved. Family of Atiq will not be punished for his misdeed, she said.
The BSP supremo said in her tweet that the FIR has been registered against Atiq Ahmed’s son and his wife in connection with the murder of advocate Umesh Pal and his gunner, an important witness in the murder case of Raju Pal in Prayagraj years ago. Taking this seriously, the BSP decided that Shaista Parveen will be expelled from the party as soon as she is found guilty in the ongoing investigation, BSP chief said.
Mayawati further said it is well known that Atiq Ahmed is the product of Samajwadi Party, the party from which he has also been MP and MLA. Now, Raju Pal’s wife has also switched from BSP to SP, the party she used to blame earlier. Therefore, it is not right to do any politics under its guise. BSP does not punish any innocent person of their family and society misdeed, but it is true that the party does not promote the criminal element of any caste and religion.