Lagatar24 Desk
Lucknow, April 16: A high-level investigation into the killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj was ordered by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday, according to officials.
To preserve law and order, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) had been issued in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh, officials stated.
On Saturday night, while being escorted by police to a Prayagraj medical college for a checkup, Ahmad (60) and his brother were shot dead at point-blank range by three guys posing as journalists during a media interaction.
When the brothers were killed about 10 p.m. in front of media crews, they were wearing handcuffs. The gruesome images were widely shared on social media sites and television networks. Both the brothers were jailed in Prayagraj.
Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said, “The chief minister has constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf”.
He claimed that the three attackers were detained on the spot and a thorough investigation is ongoing.
According to Kumar, the chief minister called a high-level conference in Lucknow following the Prayagraj incident and ordered the investigation.
Director Information Shishir said, “Prohibitory orders have been issued in all districts of the state”.
Ramit Sharma, the Commissioner of Police, told reporters in Prayagraj that the three assailants, who were detained right away after the event, had joined the gathering of media attempting to collect soundbites from Ahmad and Ashraf.
“As per mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for medical examination. According to preliminary information, three persons posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned, ” Sharma said.
Constable Man Singh was harmed in the incident, the officer claimed, and a journalist was hurt when he collapsed during the ruckus that followed the gunshot.