Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Friday rejected the bail applications of slain mafia don Atiq Ahmed’s brother-in-law Dr Akhlaq Ahmed, lawyer Vijay Mishra, servant Niaz and driver Kaish in the 2023 Umesh Pal murder case.The order was passed by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav. The court had reserved its judgment on Oct 10 after hearing all sides at length. While Dr Akhlaq of Meerut is accused of giving shelter to shooter Guddu Muslim all others named are accused of plotting Umesh Pal’s murder. Guddu Muslim, who has been on the run since the murder, carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The police claim that after carrying out the incident, he took refuge at Akhlaq’s Meerut home. Subsequently, Akhlaq was arrested in Meerut. Akhlaq’s lawyer had pleaded that he was not named in the FIR. He is a doctor by profession and has no connection with the crime world. He has been framed only because he is Atiq’s relative. Atiq’s lawyer Vijay Mishra is accused of being an informer in the Pal murder case. Vijay was arrested in Lucknow. Mishar’s lawyer argued that he was being framed because he was Atiq’s lawyer. Similarly, Kaish and Niaz also pleaded innocence. Their lawyer argued that Kaish was a driver and had left the job a long time ago. He had no criminal history. Niaz’s lawyer also claimed innocence and said his client had no connection with the incident. Nothing was recovered from him, nor was he named in the FIR. The govt had opposed the bail application stating there was sufficient evidence against all the accused. Their release at this stage may hamper the trial proceedings as the process of framing charges in the trial court has not been completed yet. Further, seven other accused, including Atiq’s wanted wife Shaista Parveen, his slain brother Ashraf’s wife Zainab, and Guddu Muslim are absconding. Therefore, their release would adversely impact the pending trial. Umesh Pal and his two police security guards – Sandeep Nishad and Raghvendra Singh- were shot dead on Feb 24, 2023, outside his home in Dhoomanganj police station area of Prayagraj. On a complaint lodged by Pal’s wife Jaya, a criminal case was registered at Dhoomanganj police station against Atiq, his brother Ashraf, two sons, aides – Guddu Muslim and Ghulam- and nine others. While Atiq’s third son Asad has already been gunned down in police encounter, Atiq and his brother Ashraf were killed by three men on April 15, 2023, when they were being brought to Colvin hospital in police custody for routine medical check-up.
