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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
UP police investigation into his killing has shown former Samajwadi Party MP, who was also a former five-time MLA, used to extort money from businessmen and builders
Days after he was gunned down by three people disguising themselves as television journalists, The New Indian came across explosive details about gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed.
During the investigation of his killing, it has come to light that Atiq, a former Member of Parliament representing the Samajwadi Party, used to extort money as chunaav tax or election money from businessmen and builders and used to deposit the money in a bank account.
The New Indian has accessed some of these slips. Sources said that there are two types of slips that were issued to businessmen and builders. “Pink and white slips were used to collect Chunav Tax and Goonda Tax,” sources said.
The colours of the slip also held significance, with the white slip used to collect amounts ranging from ₹3 to 5 lakhs, while the pink slip was used to collect amounts over ₹5 lakhs.
Interestingly, the money was not deposited in cash but directly into an account. As per the sources, Atiq, who was also a former Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, had an account with the Bank of Maharashtra. This account is used to deposit money collected through the ‘election tax’.
Deposit slip of the Bank of Maharashtra where money was deposited
The New Indian has also accessed one white cheque slip for ₹3 lakhs and 50 thousand deposited in the said account of the Bank of Maharashtra.
A voting count slip for the Phoolpur Lok Sabha seat has also surfaced, where Atiq was listed as one of the candidates. He was listed with serial number 14 and his election symbol was shown as a television set.
Sources said that the five-time MLA and one-time MP had amassed properties worth ₹11,684 crores which had been built through extortion.
Atiq and his brother Ashraf were gunned down while they were being taken for a medical checkup in Prayagraj on Saturday evening. The three attackers – Arun Maurya, Sunny Purane and Lavlesh Tiwari – were arrested on the spot.
On Sunday, they were remanded for 14-day judicial custody. But they were not kept in Prayagraj’s Naini Jail, as Atiq’s sons and his associates are still lodged in the same jail. The trio were sent to Pratapgarh Jail.
The UP police have already set up two SITs in the investigation of the shootout between Atiq and Ashraf. The UP STF is still trying to nab Atiq’s wife, Shaista Parveen, and Atiq’s man, Friday, Guddu Muslim, who was also involved in the murder of Umesh Pal.
