Atiq Ahmed, a controversial politician and former Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead on 22 October 2021 while being escorted by the Uttar Pradesh police to a hospital for a medical check-up. The police vehicles were ambushed by a group of armed men who opened fire at Atiq and his aides. The attackers managed to flee the scene while Atiq and his brother Ashraf were critically injured. Atiq was later pronounced dead at the hospital, while Ashraf is said to be in a critical condition.
The incident has raised questions about the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, with many politicians and citizens expressing concern over the brazen attack on a high-profile individual.
On 23 October 2021, Atiq was buried in the same graveyard as his son in Prayagraj. His brother Ashraf, who is still undergoing treatment, was not present at the funeral. Meanwhile, the police have arrested three people in connection with the attack and have sent them to 14-day judicial custody.
The three accused have been identified as Shashikant Pandey, Dharmendra Singh, and Prem Prakash Pandey. According to reports, the police have recovered a pistol and a motorcycle from their possession.
The incident has also sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to maintain law and order in the state. Some politicians have even called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.
Atiq Ahmed was a controversial figure who had several criminal cases pending against him. Despite his criminal record, he had managed to win elections and serve as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009. He was known for his alleged involvement in various criminal activities, including extortion, land grabbing, and murder.
The incident has reignited the debate on political thuggery and criminalization of politics in India. Many experts have called for stricter laws to curb the influence of criminals in politics and ensure a safer and more transparent democracy.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of high-profile individuals in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the wake of several other attacks on politicians and journalists in recent years. The state government has announced a slew of measures to tighten security and prevent such incidents in the future.
Overall, the tragic incident has once again exposed the dark underbelly of Indian politics and the challenges that the country faces in ensuring a safe and democratic society. It is now up to the authorities to take swift action and bring the culprits to justice, while also taking steps to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
