Extrajudicial killings in UP: Mayawati expresses concern over ‘Encounter Pradesh’

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati raised questions about the functioning of the UP government under Yogi Adityanath, referring to the encounter and the days after the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in police custody in Prayagraj.

Mayawati, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has suggested that the Supreme Court should take notice of the recent incident involving the killing of a gangster-turned-politician.

She described the incident as "extremely serious and worrisome," and said that it has been widely discussed throughout the country.

In a series of tweets, she also raised concerns about the prevalence of extrajudicial killings in Uttar Pradesh, stating that the state is now known as "Encounter Pradesh" instead of being governed by the rule of law.

"The shooting dead of Atiq Ahmad, who was brought from Gujarat jail and his brother Ashraf, who was brought from Bareilly jail last night in Prayagraj, in police custody, is just like the heinous Umesh Pal murder case. It raises serious questions on the law and order of the UP government and its style of functioning," she said.

BJP leader Umesh Pal was killed by Atiq's men in 2005.

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed here just hours before the shooting.

Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Officials said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and his brother.

With PTI input