Atiq Ahmed, the Uttar Pradesh gangster-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead on Saturday night by three men while they were being taken for a medical check-up in Prayagraj.
The attack comes days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi. Ahmed who faced at least 100 criminal cases and Ashraf were shot dead in full view of people and the murders were caught on cameras of media persons.
The assailants have been identified by the police as Lovlesh, Sunny and Arun Maurya who posed as journalists and shot Ahmed and his brother Ashraf at point-blank range while they were speaking to reporters.
"Shooters were posing as journalists. As Atiq reached for a check-up, they were surrounded by other journalists and got close to Atiq and his brother. One was having a camera and was posing as a cameraman. While one was roaming with a mike where it was written NCR News. Third was assisting both," UP Police said.
"As Atiq reached the hospital, reporters started questioning them after 2 lines, one guy fired on his head from very close and Atiq fell down. Another two guys also threw the camera and mike and started firing," an official stated.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been imposed in all districts of Uttar Pradesh after the incident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a late-night meeting instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state.
"UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed Police officers to be on alert, ensure peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," said a statement from the Chief Minister office.
Adityanath has also appealed to the public to avoid paying attention to rumours about the incident.
Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.