UP cops find fresh bloodstains, knife at Atiq’s office

The bloodstains, found on the stairs and a white cloth, appear to be between 24 to 48 hours old.

| Updated: 24 April, 2023 1:34 pm IST

Atiq's office has been demolished partly by authorities in Prayagraj.

Lucknow: In a new twist to the Atiq Ahmed saga, cops spotted bloodstains and recovered a stained knife at the slain mafia’s office in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

In the morning, policemen arrived at his office in Chakia in large numbers and launched an investigation. A forensics team was also present at his office, parts of which had been demolished by the Yogi Adityanath government.

The bloodstains, found on the stairs and a white cloth, appear to be between 24 to 48 hours old, according to police officials.

Police also conducted a videography of his office. The forensic team collected blood samples to ascertain how old they are. Senior police officials stated that the matter would be investigated in detail as an incident had apparently taken place after Atiq’s murder earlier this month.

Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, both in police custody, were killed by three shooters posing as journalists in Prayagraj on April 15. According to police officials, the shooters first arrived in Lucknow and then travelled to Prayagraj in a bus. Investigators are now examining footage from over 40 CCTV cameras to track their movements.

Public sentiments against Atiq grew after his men allegedly shot dead Umesh Pal, the main witness in the 2005 Raju Pal murder case. Raju, a BSP MLA at that time, was allegedly shot dead by Atiq’s men after he defeated Ashraf in Assembly polls.

Just days before Atiq’s killing, Uttar Pradesh Police killed his son Asad in an encounter in Banda district. Asad was accused of leading the attack party which killed Umesh and his two police guards. His wife Shaista Parveen is wanted by the police and is currently on the run.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Atiq and his brother. The petition also requests an investigation into the 183 encounters that have occurred in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. The petition argues that such actions by the police are a severe threat to democracy and the rule of law, and the power of punishment is only vested in the judiciary.