In a crucial development in the Umesh Pal murder and conspiracy case, Prayagraj police have filed a charge sheet under the Gangsters Act against slain don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed’s sons, Mohammad Umar and Ali Ahmed, along with ten others. An important step in the year-long investigation was taken on Tuesday when the filing was made in a special court.
Who Are the Accused and What Are the Charges?
According to officials, the Gangsters Act case was registered last year at Dhoomanganj police station against 12 accused involved in extortion, issuing threats, and planning murders. The latest charge sheet names:
- Mohammad Umar and Ali Ahmed (Atiq’s sons)
- Vijay Mishra (Atiq’s lawyer)
- Khan Saulat Hanif
- Ekhlaq Ahmed
- Sadaqat Khan
- Shaista Parveen (Atiq’s wife)
- Ayesha Noori (Atiq’s sister)
- Zainab Fatima (Ashraf’s wife)
- Shooters Guddu Muslim, Mohammad Arman, and Sabir
However, Shaista, Ayesha, Zainab, Guddu Muslim, Arman, and Sabir remain absconding.
Why Has the Gangsters Act Been Invoked?
Officials say the Gangsters Act charge sheet will tighten legal control over the accused, making bail more difficult and enabling confiscation of properties linked to the gang.
Dhoomanganj SHO Rajesh Upadhyay confirmed that the charge sheet had been filed, though authorities declined to specify the exact sections of the Act invoked. A date for the next court hearing will be announced soon.
Also Read: Trump Declares Victory on ‘Climate Change Hoax,’ Cites Gates Comments
How Are Atiq’s Sons Linked to the Case?
Police sources revealed that after Atiq Ahmed’s death, Umar and Ali allegedly took control of the IS-227 gang, managing extortion and other illegal operations from inside jail.
- Umar is currently lodged in Lucknow jail.
- Ali was recently shifted from Naini jail to Jhansi jail.
In a gangster report filed in October 2024, Ali was officially listed as the gang leader. The report also identified 15 active members, including Umar, their uncle Akhlaq Ahmed, and close aide Khan Saulat Hanif. The gang has been accused of land grabbing, ransom, extortion, and murder.
What Happened in the Umesh Pal Murder?
On February 24, 2023, advocate Umesh Pal and his two police bodyguards — Raghvendra Singh and Sandeep Nishad — were shot dead in broad daylight outside Pal’s residence in the Sulem Sarai area of Prayagraj.
According to investigators:
- Guddu Muslim hurled bombs at Umesh Pal and a police bodyguard.
- Arman and Sabir fired bullets at the victims, leading to the deaths of Umesh Pal and two policemen.
Police had earlier filed a charge sheet against these three main assailants. Despite nationwide search operations across 14 states and arrest warrants issued in seven, all three — Guddu, Arman, and Sabir — remain absconding.
What Is the Current Status of the Case?
So far, 15 people have been charged, of whom 12 are currently in jail, including Umar and Ali Ahmed. The Uttar Pradesh Police have announced cash rewards for the absconding accused:
- ₹5 lakh each for Guddu Muslim, Arman, and Sabir
- ₹50,000 for Shaista Parveen
- ₹25,000 for Ayesha Noori
Officials say the Gangsters Act filing adds “institutional strength” to the case and reinforces the state’s crackdown on organized criminal networks once run by Atiq Ahmed’s family.
Also Read: ‘Very Much Looking Forward’: Trump–Xi Busan Summit Poised to Redefine US-China Relations
What Does This Mean for the Case Ahead?
The filing represents a shift in the prosecution’s approach, indicating that the state is prepared to take more aggressive legal action against Atiq’s surviving relatives and accomplices. The next court proceedings are expected to determine whether charges will translate into convictions or more arrests in the coming weeks.
