Live TV Shooting Of Atiq Ahmad Raises Concerns Over UP Police's 'Encounter' Culture

Murdered in custody: Atiq Ahmad's killing raises serious questions about prison safety

The recent shooting of former Lok Sabha MP Atiq Ahmad in the custody of the Uttar Pradesh Police has sent shockwaves across the country. Ahmad was accused in the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal and BSP lawmaker Raju Pal, and his killing has raised concerns over the safety of inmates in the state's prisons.

Controversial letter by Atiq Ahmad implicates senior police official

Adding to the controversy, a letter written by Ahmad has surfaced, which was to be sent to the Chief Justice of India and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in case of his murder. The letter reportedly contains the name of a senior police official who had boasted of the brothers' imminent murder. Ahmad's lawyer, Vijay Mishra, has revealed that he did not have the letter in his possession and that someone else was responsible for sending it.

 

Assassination on Camera: Brothers Ahmad and Ashraf killed in staged medical check-up shooting

Ahmad's brother, Ashraf, was also killed in the same incident as he had been warned that he would be taken out of jail within 15 days and eliminated. The shooting took place on live television while Ahmad and his brother were being taken for a "routine medical check-up." The shooters, who posed as journalists, were able to fire multiple rounds before being detained by the police, who were on duty at the time.

 

Pressure mounts on the UP government to take action on Ahmad's murder

The UP government has faced severe criticism for the incident and has set up a three-member judicial committee to investigate Ahmad's murder. The state police will also investigate the case. The reports are expected to be submitted within two months.

 

 

Extra-judicial killings in UP under scrutiny following Ahmad's death and Asad's killing

The incident has also brought to light the issue of "encounters" in Uttar Pradesh, where the police have been accused of extra-judicial killings of suspects in custody. Ahmad's son Asad was also killed in a "special operation" near Jhansi by the UP Police's Special Task Force last week. Asad was among the accused in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was a witness to the murder of a Bahujan Samaj Party leader in 2005.

 

SC agrees to examine the plea for inquiry into UP encounters, including Ahmad's and Asad's deaths

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea for an independent inquiry into 183 "encounters" that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh over the past six years, including the killings of Ahmad and his son Asad. This move has been welcomed by human rights activists who have long called for an investigation into the state's law enforcement agencies.

 

Calls for transparency and impartiality in the judicial committee and the police investigation into Ahmad's murder

In conclusion, the shooting of Atiq Ahmad has raised serious questions about the transparency and fairness of Uttar Pradesh's law enforcement agencies. The safety of inmates in the state's prisons must be ensured, and those responsible for Ahmad's murder and other extra-judicial killings must be held accountable. The judicial committee and police investigation must be transparent and impartial, and the reports must be made public. The Supreme Court's decision to hear a plea for an independent inquiry into encounters in the state is a positive step, but more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that have led to incidents like this.