Atiq Ahmad: Strongman who dabbled in the worlds of crime, politics

Posted on:
Key Points

Factionalism in the Janata Party government is rampant, the rise of farmer politics is changing the grammar of elections in the heartland, and organised crime is rising in Indias largest province..

It is in this melee that Atiq Ahmad first emerged as a criminal in erstwhile Allahabad, allegedly stabbing a local rival Mohammed Gulam in full public view..

Born in Shravasti to a Muslim family, Ahmad moved to Prayagraj and quickly gained notoriety, publicly clashing entrenched local gangster Shauq Ilahi, and taking over his fiefdom in the old city area after the latter was gunned down in a police encounter in 1989..

Sensing his opportunity, Ahmad quickly announced his candidate for the assembly elections from the Allahabad West seat that year riding a horse through the old city and taking out a motorcycle rally to stamp his authority among young people and the Muslim community..

That journey came to an end on Tuesday as a special court in Prayagraj convicted the former MP and two associates in a 2006 abduction case.. His conviction has broken the myth that criminals like him will always manage to escape the clutches of the law, said former director general of police Brij Lal, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party MP...

You might be interested in

Umesh Pal case: iPhone, Aadhar cards seized from Atiq Ahmed’s Prayagraj home | Details

05, Apr, 23

Prayagraj Police on Tuesday seized an iPhone, books of accounts, and two Aadhar cards from Atiq Ahmed’s home. Police suspect the recovery might untie several dots in the Umesh Pal murder case.

‘Asad, aide were travelling across…’: UP STF on Atiq Ahmad son's encounter

13, Apr, 23

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's son Asad and an accomplice were killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police in Jhansi on Thursday. | Latest News India

Atiq Ahmed Murder Live Updates: Atiq Ahmed’s killers transferred to Pratapgarh jail from Prayagraj

17, Apr, 23

Atiq Ahmed, brother Ashraf Shot Dead, News Live Updates: Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government formed two three-member Special Task Forces to investigate and monitor the probe into the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother

On Atiq Ahmad murder, Jethmalani says, ‘Like Dawood-NCP, secular parties…’

20, Apr, 23

Politicial parties provide protection and patronage to dons like Atiq Ahmad like the connection between NCP and Dawood, Mahesh Jethmalani said.  | Latest News India

In 50 days, Atiq Ahmad among 6 accused killed in Umesh Pal murder case

16, Apr, 23

Since the murder of Umesh Pal and two cops in Prayagraj, a total of six accused have been killed so far, with Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf being shot dead on Saturday. | Latest News India

CM Yogi's instructions after Atiq Ahmad, brother shot dead. 10 updates

16, Apr, 23

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at close range by three men posing as journalists during a media interaction in Prayagraj on Saturday night. | Latest News India

UP Police gets Atiq Ahmed's custody, gangster to reach Prayagraj amid tight security

26, Mar, 23

A team of the UP Police was sent to Gujarat on Sunday to bring Atiq Ahmed to Prayagraj, where he will be produced before a court in connection with a kidnapping case in which he is an accused.

Congress adopting saffron strategy to counter BJP's Hindutva in Uttar Pradesh?

31, Aug, 23

The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is adopting a saffron approach, similar to the BJP's emphasis on Hindutva, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The newly appointed state president, Ajay Rai, began his tenure with vedic hymns and a Ganga Aarti ceremony. The party also conducted a Rudrabhishek ceremony at the state headquarters.

SIT to probe killing of Atiq, brother Ashraf

17, Apr, 23

A high-level team has also been set up by UP DGP to supervise the probe into the killing of Atiq Ahmad and Khalid Azeem aka ‘Ashraf’, said police officers

Atiq, aides wanted to re-establish their terror, suggests probe into Umesh Pal murder

09, Mar, 23

The ex-MP was scared over losing grip on his gang members and his diminishing terror among people. His associates revolted against him and some were even lodging cases against him, said a police official