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OpIndia Editor-in-Chief and CEO get 1-month protection from arrest in the FIR filed by Tamil Nadu police, to approach Madras HC

OpIndia Staff
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OpIndia Editor-in-Chief and CEO get 1-month protection from arrest in the FIR filed by Tamil Nadu police, to approach Madras HC

On the 21st of April 2023, a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha granted 4 weeks of protection to OpIndia editor-in-chief Nupur J Sharma and CEO Rahul Roushan in the FIR filed against them by the Tamil Nadu police. The Supreme Court bench said that they cannot quash the FIR, since that is the domain of the High Court but will protect the petitioner from any coercive action by the Tamil Nadu police.

Nupur J Sharma and Rahul Roushan were represented by Mr Mahesh Jethmalani and Ravi Sharma. Their request for quashing of the FIRs under Section 32 was denied by CJI Chandrachud. The CJI then asked the petitioners to approach Madras High Court under Section 482.

While denying the request for hearing the matter for quashing the FIR, Justice Chandrachud said that under the law, it would not be appropriate if the Supreme Court directly quashes the FIR, however, he will protect the petitioner.

Further, when Mr Jethmalani requested the Court to direct Tamil Nadu police to conduct questioning over video conference if the need arises, given that Rahul Roushan is suffering from COVID and Nupur J Sharma has a 6-year-old child and is unable to travel, the CJI said that he has already granted protection from coercive action. He further joked that given the CEO has COVID, the police themselves would be scared to call him in for questioning and therefore, the petitioners should not worry.

The Editor-in-Chief took to Twitter to thank her lawyers and said that OpIndia would follow due process of the law and ensure this malicious prosecution by the Tamil Nadu govt is thwarted.

What is the FIR about

Earlier in April, the Tamil Nadu police filed an FIR against Nupur J Sharma and Rahul Roushan for an OpIndia report that covered the allegations made by the daily Dainik Bhaskar about Bihari migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. The report by OpIndia carried the allegations by Bhaskar, the statement of the Bihar CM (Nitish Kumar) and the statement of the Tamil Nadu police.

Based on the complaint of one Mr Suryaprakash, who is a DMK leader and part of the IT Cell, the Tamil Nadu police filed an FIR under sections 153-A, 501, and 505 of the IPC.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sign historic MoU to settle border dispute. Here is everything you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sign historic MoU to settle border dispute. Here is everything you need to know

On Thursday (April 20), a 51-year-old border dispute between the North-Eastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was resolved through the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states in Delhi.

The Chief Ministers of both States, Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam) and Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh) signed the MoU in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is an MP from Arunachal.

Under this MoU, the dispute over the 804 km long border between the two states has been resolved. The discussions were held on 8 border areas of Assam and 12 of Arunachal Pradesh. 12 regional committees, each headed by a cabinet minister, were formed for the discussions.

Among the 123 villages under dispute, the two states have arrived at a final mutual understanding concerning 71 villages under the MoU. Of these 71 villages, one village from Arunachal Pradesh will be included in Assam while 60 villages from Assam will be transferred to Arunachal Pradesh. 10 villages, which are currently part of Assam, will continue to remain the territory of the State.

From the remaining 52 villages, the boundary of the remaining 49 villages will be finalised within the following 6 months by the regional committees, after studies done by the Survey of India. Both states have agreed to maintain the status quo in these areas until a final settlement is reached. 3 villages fall within the bombing range of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will require rehabilitation of the residents.

The MoU also made it clear that no new claim over any territory can be made by either State in the future and that the agreement is ‘full and final.’ Under the agreement, there will be better communication between the two states over border issues. Moreover, joint surveys will be done to resolve any disputes that may arise in the future.

While speaking about the matter, Amit Shah said, “We are witness to a historic moment today. The Local Commission report of 1972 remained disputed at various levels, sometimes at the level of the government, sometimes in the Supreme Court.”

He added, “By accepting the report, the two states have ended the dispute over the 800 km of boundary…This is a huge achievement. I believe the work that should have been done immediately after Independence is being done now.”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The signing of an MoU between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh today to settle an inter-state boundary dispute will prove to be a milestone. This will bring peace and development to the Northeast region.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that various factors were taken into consideration while deciding which state will get the individual disputed villages. The prime consideration was the demography of the villages. Moreover, the distance from the district headquarters and administrative convenience were also considered. Several public hearings were conducted at the disputed places to obtain the opinion of the people.

He said, “The long-standing border issue between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has been resolved by commemorating 75 years of Independence. The Home Minister had instructed us to discuss the issue and the Assam government held several meetings thereafter. The signing of a MoU between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh today to settle an inter-state boundary dispute will prove to be a milestone. This will bring peace and development to the Northeast region.”

CM Sarma said that the agreement was reached with a sisterly give-and-take approach, with the disputed states going to both states. He further added that the Arunachal Pradesh govt had rights to a large stretch of disputed land in Jorhat town in Assam, and the Arunachal govt accepted the Assam government’s request to hand over that land to Assam.

“We have arrived at a mutual understanding concerning 123 villages under the instructions of Amit Shah. This will bring great peace to the Northeastern region,” the Assam CM further said.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu tweeted, “This momentous occasion will ensure sustained, lasting peace and spur our shared growth and overall prosperity in North East.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister for being the guiding force in the historic border resolution.

The Background of the border dispute

Arunachal Pradesh was carved out of ‘undivided Assam’ in 1972 and was declared a Union Territory. Soon after, it claimed that forest tracks in the plains, which belonged to tribal communities, were unilaterally handed over to Assam.

Arunachal Pradesh was granted Statehood in 1987. Thereafter, a tripartite committee was formed to look into the border dispute. It recommended the transfer of certain territories, held by Assam, to Arunachal Pradesh.

The matter was challenged before the Supreme Court in 1989 by the then Government of Assam. The border dispute and allegations of land encroachment led to occasional flare-ups and incidents of violence in the 1990s.

In 2007, Arunachal Pradesh reportedly lay claim over 123 villages, located between its 12 districts and 8 districts of Assam, before a Local Commission appointed by the Supreme Court.

Despite negotiations, no consensus was reached between the two States. Prodded by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh decided to settle the matter outside of court, through mutual discussions, in 2021.

Formal talks began between the two sides in January 2022. In April of that year, it was decided to form 12 regional committees to conduct surveys in disputed areas.

The committees were tasked to find solutions while taking several factors such as ethnicity, contiguity, historical perspective, people’s will and administrative convenience in mind.

In July 2022, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh signed the ‘Namsai Declaration’ and resolved the dispute over 37 villages. Thus, the two governments were able to bring down the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86.

It must be mentioned that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share the longest border (804 km) in the North-East. Earlier in March 2022, Assam and Meghalaya also signed a historic pact and ended a 51-year-old border dispute. Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that MoUs with Nagaland and Mizoram would also be signed shortly to settle the border disputes.

The Assam CM said that when he had met Amit Shah before taking oath as CM, the home minister had told him that the 75th year of independence is the best time to settle all border disputes in the northeast. Accordingly, Assam started talking to all the states about the issue, and the Assam-Meghalaya boundary agreement was the first result.

NCP president Sharad Pawar meets industrialist Gautam Adani, days after criticising Opposition’s ruckus in Parliament over Hindenburg issue

OpIndia Staff
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NCP president Sharad Pawar meets industrialist Gautam Adani, days after criticising Opposition’s ruckus in Parliament over Hindenburg issue

On Thursday, April 20, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar and industrialist Gautam Adani had a two-hour-long meeting at Pawar’s Silver Oak residence. Adani reportedly arrived at Pawar’s residence at around 10 am on Thursday. Though not much has been disclosed about the meeting, media reorts state that the two discussed various issues concerning the country.

The meeting comes days after Pawar raised a stir in the camp of the Opposition earlier this month when he declared that he was opposed to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into a report by short-selling firm Hindenburg on the Adani Group because he believed the Adani Group was being “targeted.”

In an interview with NDTV, Pawar said, “Such statements were given by other individuals too earlier and there was a ruckus in parliament for a few days but this time out of proportion importance was given to the issue. The issues that were kept, who kept them, we had never heard of these people who gave the statement, what is the background. When they raise issues that cause a ruckus across the country, the cost is borne by the country’s economy, we cannot disregard these things. It seemed that an individual industrial group was targeted.”

Furthermore, Pawar distanced himself from the Congress’s demand for a JPC probe and stated that he disagreed with the Congress-led Opposition’s decision to stall Parliament on the issue.

He claimed that following the demand was made, the Supreme Court opened an inquiry and formed a team that included a former judge of the supreme court, an expert, an administrator, and an economist. They received guidelines and a deadline for conducting the investigation.

In another development, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has reportedly said that the charges against industrialist Gautam Adani and the Adani Group have not been proven yet adding that the allegations are yet to be established. Pawar gave this statement in the context of the Hindenberg report.

Firing inside Delhi’s Saket Court by person disguised as an advocate, woman injured

OpIndia Staff
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Firing inside Delhi’s Saket Court by person disguised as an advocate, woman injured

On Friday, a woman in the Saket Court in Delhi was injured after she was shot by one of the persons who disguised as an advocate. The accused person is said to have shot four rounds at the woman. The victim has been shifted to the hospital and is being treated.

According to the reports, the woman and the accused man knew each other and had a conflict over financial issues. The accused has been identified by the police and is said to be a local history sheeter. The woman who has been shot meanwhile has attained severe injuries in her stomach.

On September 24 of last year, a similar incident was reported in which two assassins had dressed as attorneys and had opened fire inside the Rohini court in Delhi. The duo were however killed in Police firing. The two attackers, Rahul Tyagi and Jagdeep Jagga, reportedly pretended to be attorneys in order to enter the courtroom and shot mobster Jitender Maan alias Gogi many times.

Also, the Rohini court witnessed gunfire in April of last year after an altercation between two solicitors and their only client. In the current case, the police have been deployed at the Saket court and the investigations in the case are underway.

Satara: Hindu group demands removal of Masjid illegally built on govt land in Phaltan, vows to build Hanuman temple if Masjid not removed

Siddhi Somani
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Satara: Hindu group demands removal of Masjid illegally built on govt land in Phaltan, vows to build Hanuman temple if Masjid not removed

A local Hindu organization in the city of Satara, which was once the seat of the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, has raised objection over a Masjid that has been illegally built on government land. The members of the Hindu organization have demanded the removal of the illegal structure and have vowed to build a huge Hanuman Mandir on the spot if their demands are not fulfilled.

The incident is said to have happened in the Phaltan village of Satara district, Maharashtra. The Masjid in question was allegedly illegally built in the year 2013 and the premises of the already built illegal structure were further illegally expanded in the year 2021, during the lockdown. Some of the Muslim members in the area have also recently put up a board of ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ there, which according to the protesting Hindu members is not in existence.

Considering the fact, the Hindu organizations have demanded an investigation into the matter and also removal of the illegal structure from the government land in Phaltan.

Bombay HC in 2013 had ordered to take action against the Masjid

As per the information obtained by OpIndia, the saga began in the year 2012, when the Masjid in question was built by a few local Muslims residing in the Malthan part of the village. Later a PIL was filed by one of the Hindu activists named Mangesh Khandare who stated that the Masjid was illegally built on government land. Khandare in the PIL published the relevant evidence and sought the removal of the illegally built structure.

The petitioner also prayed to direct the respondents to investigate the antecedent of the owners and developers of the said structure and to take appropriate legal action against them. The Bombay High Court took cognizance of the PIL in the year 2013 and ordered the relevant authorities to take action against the Masjid within 10 weeks and communicate the same to the petitioner. But no action was taken back then. No action has been taken to date.

Bombay High Court order copy obtained by OpIndia

One Muslim woman claimed ownership of land, case was dismissed by Court

The matter became more intriguing after the Bombay High Court’s decision, as a Muslim woman from the village, identified as Mumtaj Mujavar claimed that she was the owner of the said government land. She filed a legal case to claim the ownership of the land and stated that the property belonged to her paternal aunt named Ashabi Kom Hussain Mujavar (now deceased). Mumtaj further claimed that Ashabi was unmarried and hence, she (Mumtaj) was her only heir. According to Mumtaj, the Indian government illegally grabbed the land after the partition of India in the year 1947. “We came to know about the illegal grabbing only in 2012. The land belongs to my aunt and now it should be transferred in our name,” Mumtaj pleaded.

Mumtaj appealed in court that property was Ashabi’s and now she was the only heir

To this, the Satara court asked the woman to give the names and current addresses of the Ashabi and also asked to publish a notice in the local newspaper. Mumtaj then failed to submit the requirements and also did not face the court for the next year. The court was then about to dismiss the application during its last hearing in December 2012, but in the interest of justice has decided to give one more opportunity to the applicant (Mumtaj). However, the matter was finally dismissed in the year 2019, a copy of which has been attached below.

Dismissal order obtained by OpIndia

One of the members of the Hindu organizations, Akshay Taware while talking to OpIndia said that the Court had almost dismissed the claim in 2018 and that the ownership claims put forth by the woman are baseless. “The Ashabi she’s talking about went to Pakistan during the 1947 partition and then the property was declared as government property. Now it is government land and an illegal Masjid has been built on it. The Bombay High Court in 2013 had asked the authorities to take action against the illegal structure but to date no action has been taken. The Court has also dismissed the woman’s claim, still, the government authorities are taking no action,” he said.

Muslim population increased after Masjid was built and illegally expanded

Akshay, who is also a resident of the Malthan area, stated that there was no Masjid before 2012 and that a few Muslim persons used to gather at their private properties (homes) to offer Namaz. After the construction of the Masjid, the Muslim population in the area increased significantly.

“Before 2012, around 4-5 Muslim families used to gather at one of their homes and used to offer Namaz. Later someone spotted the vacant government property and put up a small shed there. Slowly a proper Masjid was built there and now people illegally gather at the Masjid area and even host Iftaar parties. The Masjid was also expanded in the year 2021, during the lockdown and the difference can be clearly seen in the satellite images of the area,” Akshay said.

In the images that were obtained by OpIndia, it could be seen that the Masjid authorities have expanded the controversial property by installing a blue shed behind the Masjid. The same blue shed is not visible in the satellite image grabbed from before the year 2021.

Satellite images showing the illegal expansion of the blue shed. (Images obtained by OpIndia)

Illegal ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ board put up, large crowd gatherings causing inconvenience for local Hindus

Kandhare and Taware further revealed to OpIndia that during Ramzan recently the Muslims had put up an illegal board which indicated that the Masjid belongs to the ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’. “The trust that they are claiming is not in existence. The board they have put up is also illegal. Which trust is this, who looks after this, who has built the Masjid, and where did they arrange the money from to build it? there are many questions and nobody has answers to this,” Taware said.

He also said that the large crowds gathered in the Masjid surrounding cause inconvenience to local Hindus, especially women. Kandhare on April 18 visited the Satara Endowment Commissioner’s office to inquire about the claimed ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ and sought removal of the illegal trust board put up outside the Masjid in Malthan.

The authorities there happened to state that there is no registration of this kind of Trust as it belongs to some other religion. The data might be available online on the website of the Waqf Boards. “We are digging the data,” affirmed Taware.

Copy of letter submitted by Kandhare to the Satara Endowment Commissioner’s office

’10 years, but still no action,’ Hindu organizations continue to seek action

Kandhare has to date written several letters to the government authorities including the Revenue Officer, Collector and the authorities at the Municipality, stating the fact that the Masjid is illegal and that it needs to be removed, but to no avail. The copies of all the letters have been obtained by OpIndia. “These authorities just acknowledge the letter and take no action. It has been 10 years and the illegal structure still stands there even after the Bombay High Court had directed action against the property. The Muslim population has also vastly grown in the area. This matter needs attention,” said Taware reiterating the Hindu organization’s vow that they will build a huge Hanuman Mandir on the same spot if the illegal Masjid is not taken down.

Copy of recent letter written by Khandare to the Revenue Officer

Similar illegal structures reported earlier

Earlier, a similar incident was reported from the city of Nashik, where a local Hindu group had objected to the presence of ‘Sayyed Shah Vali Baba Dargah’ in the premises of an 18th-century-old historical monument that once served as the administrative headquarters of the Peshwas, the Sarkarwada.

Rushikesh Dapse (Bapu), a social activist associated with a local Hindu organization, had claimed that the Dargah in the Sarkarwada, which was once home to Peshwas, is an ‘illegal encroachment’ and that it shall be removed as it represents the wrong history of the Peshwas.

Also, an illegal Mazar had surfaced at the Mahim coast area in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on March 23 employed bulldozers to demolish the illegal construction around the Mazar. This is after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray played a clip in his Gudi Padwa address and exposed that an ‘illegal dargah’ has come up off the Mahim coast in Mumbai. He demanded the removal of the illegal dargah and said that if it is not demolished immediately, then his party would construct a huge Ganpati temple at the same place.

Illegal structures had also been built inside the Pratapgarh Fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan. The old grave has been over the years converted into a religious shrine by Islamic groups. Despite orders by the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government was hesitant to remove the illegal structures inside the important historical monument.

In November 2022, the Shinde government finally sent police and local administration to remove the illegal structures around the grave.

Pune police files FIR against the business partner of Sanjay Raut for fraud, had allegedly illegally obtained a contract for Covid Center

ANI
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Pune police files FIR against the business partner of Sanjay Raut for fraud, had allegedly illegally obtained a contract for Covid Center

Pune Police on Friday registered FIR against Sujit Patkar, Sanjay Raut’s business partner in Lifeline Hospital Management Services (LHMS), along with several others for fraudulently obtaining a contract of Shivaji Nagar Pune Jumbo Covid Center as alleged by complainant BJP’s Kirit Somaiya, confirmed Police. 

An FIR has been registered under Indian Penal Code. On April 10, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint of cheating and forgery with the Pune city police against the Lifeline Hospital Management Services (LHMS) and its partner Sujit Patkar alleging irregularities in the allotment of a jumbo Covid centre in 2020. 

Somaiya alleged that the LHMS did not have any experience in providing healthcare, but bagged the contract for the jumbo Covid centre in Shivajinagar in 2020 from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority after submitting forged documents.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Rashtriya Rifles soldiers killed in Poonch terror attack were returning from Iftar Party shopping: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Rashtriya Rifles soldiers killed in Poonch terror attack were returning from Iftar Party shopping: Reports

Five Rashtriya Rifles soldiers were martyred on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in a terrorist attack in Poonch, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on an army vehicle. Five jawans were killed when terrorists attacked the vehicle with grenades.

It has now been reported that the army Jawans killed in the attack were returning after getting vegetables and other stuff for the Iftar Party organized by the Rashtriya Rifles in Sangiote. The local village heads of nearby areas were also invited to the Iftar party.

According to media reports the terrorists attacked the army truck after getting information about the army organizing Iftar. It is said that the terrorists suspect that locals attending these army Iftar parties often work as informers. 

Meanwhile, the army has released images and details about the Rashtriya Rifles Jawans who were killed in the attack. Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh martyred in the terrorist attack. 

“#ArmyCdrNC & all ranks of #NorthernCommand #salute the #supreme #sacrifice of Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh & Sepoy Sewak Singh of #RashtriyaRifles in #Poonch on 20 April 23. Rest in Peace,” Northern Command of the Indian Army tweeted.

Reportedly, the Jaish-backed terror group People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack

SC stays Allahabad HC order to put UP govt secretaries under custody for failing to provide domestic helps for retired judges

OpIndia Staff
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SC stays Allahabad HC order to put UP govt secretaries under custody for failing to provide domestic helps for retired judges

On Thursday, April 20, the Supreme Court put a stay on the Allahabad High Court order to take the state’s Secretary (Finance) Shahid Manzoor Abbas Rizvi and Special Secretary (Finance) Saryu Prasad Mishra into custody.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narsimha also ordered the immediate release of the two officials who were taken into custody over non-compliance with the High Court order to provide domestic helps and other facilities for the retired judges.

The UP Government’s urgent notice was made before the Supreme Court bench by Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, who described the High Court’s ruling as “unprecedented”. The Supreme Court bench thereafter issued the order. The bailable warrant issued by the High Court in the contempt matter for the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) of the UP Government was also stayed by the Supreme Court bench.

CJI Chandrachud while pronouncing the order said, “Taken on board. The orders of the Division Bench of the High Court of Allahabad dated 04 April 2023 and 19 April 2023 shall remain stayed until the next date of listing. The bench further directed that the Supreme Court registrar-general notify the high court registrar-general of the order. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled to be held on Friday. 

Allahabad High Court order

On April 4, 2023, the state government was ordered by the high court to implement/notify Rules/Guidelines established by the Chief Justice for providing benefits, including domestic help, to retired judges. However, the court stated on Wednesday that the officers did not comply with the April 4 directive.

The officers were taken into custody by the Allahabad High Court after the Association of Retired Supreme and High Court Judges filed a contempt plea. On Wednesday, a division bench of the High Court composed of Justices Suneet Kumar and Rajendra Kumar took the officers, who were present in court, into custody and ordered them to be brought on Thursday for the filing of charges after observing that they were in contempt of the orders.

The high court ruled that the officer had omitted crucial facts and misled the court; as a result, it held them prima facie liable for contempt of court and issued an arrest warrant. But the concerned officials approached the Supreme Court. 

Read about how now-dead gangster, Atiq Ahmed, had wet his pants on seeing police: What former Director of ED, Karnal Singh said about the 2008 incident

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Read about how now-dead gangster, Atiq Ahmed, had wet his pants on seeing police: What former Director of ED, Karnal Singh said about the 2008 incident

Recounting an encounter of Delhi Police’s Special Cell — a unit mostly tasked with fighting terrorism and going after dreaded criminals — with the slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in 2008, former director of Enforcement Directorate (ED), Karnal Singh, on Thursday said the feared gang lord once “wet his pants” on seeing the police. 

“The incident dates back to January 2008 when I was in the Special Cell of Delhi Police. The Special Cell had created a database of dreaded criminals from north India and the list figured Atiq as well. He had a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head at the time and was declared absconding,” the former ED director told ANI in an exclusive interview. He revealed further that a crack team of the Delhi Police Special Cell was assigned to go after Atiq at the time. 

“And when the Special Cell investigates a case, they track every detail minutely, ranging from cases registered against an impugned person to his associates,” Singh said. 

“The team recovered the phone number of Atiq’s sharpshooter after which they put him on technical surveillance (through the phone number). They listened in on a phone call in which Atiq said he was on his way to a house in Delhi’s Pitampura,” Singh told ANI, adding that the Special Cell team reached the location and surrounded the house. 

“As he stepped out of the house and proceeded to climb into his car, an officer confronted him. He pointed a gun at him, asking him to get out of the car. On being informed that the team surrounding him was from the Special Cell, he was visibly scared and wet his pants,” Singh recalled. 

He said Atiq was then brought to the Special Cell office before being handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Police. 

In a shocking turn of events on April 15, three shooters — Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari — posing as media persons, gunned down Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, while they were being taken for medical in Prayagraj. 

The gangster siblings were surrounded by a sizeable contingent of police escorts at the time of the incident. 

Atiq was accused in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal and, subsequently, in the killing of advocate Umesh Pal, a key witness to the earlier incident, in February this year. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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