In a significant development, Chargesheet have been filed against nine individuals, including two jail guards and a close aide of Ashraf (also known as Khalid Azim), the younger brother of the notorious mafioso Atiq Ahmed. The charges relate to alleged secret meetings that took place within the confines of the Bareilly jail. The police investigation has shed light on the collaboration between criminals and jail personnel, prompting action against those involved.
Cracking the Prison Conspiracy: Unveiling Ashraf’s Secret Meetings and Links to a High-Profile Murder
Earlier this year, on March 8, the Bareilly police unit uncovered a nexus between criminals and jail staff in Bareilly district jail, where Ashraf had been held since July 2020. The police arrested jail canteen supplier Daya Ram (alias Nanhe), jail guard Shiv Hari Awasthi, and Pilibhit jail guard Manoj Gaur for facilitating Ashraf’s clandestine meetings within the prison premises. Subsequently, seven more individuals, including Ashraf’s close associate Mohd Raza (alias Lalla Gaddi), were apprehended in connection with the case.
Further investigation revealed that four of the six assailants involved in the murder of advocate Umesh Pal and his two police guards in Prayagraj on February 24 had visited Bareilly jail two weeks before the heinous crime. This revelation substantiated the involvement of Ashraf and Atiq Ahmed in Umesh Pal’s killing, as confirmed by a police inspector familiar with the matter.
On Monday, Bareilly SSP Prabhakar Chowdhary confirmed the filing of the chargesheet against nine individuals, which includes the two jail guards, canteen supplier Daya Ram alias Nanhe, Lalla Gaddi, Rashid Ali, Furqan Nabi Khan, Mohd Sarfudeen, Farhat (alias Guddu), and Arif. The police investigators applied section 173 (6) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) while filing the chargesheet, ensuring that the accused individuals face stringent legal proceedings and are not easily granted bail. This section restricts the accessibility of the chargesheet and its accompanying documents to the accused’s lawyers, who must provide legitimate reasons to the court in order to obtain a copy, as explained by the SSP.
Covert Meetings and Tragic Demise of Mafia Brothers Atiq and Ashraf Chargesheet Filled
According to another police official, jail guard Shiv Hari Awasthi facilitated Ashraf’s meetings with his associates discreetly, deliberately omitting any mention of these visits in the jail records. Awasthi would use a single ID for the entry of six to seven individuals, repeating this practice at least thrice a week. The matter was thoroughly investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an officer of the Circle Officer (CO) rank, which ultimately resulted in the filing of the chargesheet.
It is important to note that Ashraf’s name has been included in the chargesheet, as he, along with his elder brother Atiq Ahmed, was fatally shot by three assailants while being transported to a hospital for a medical examination in police custody. This incident occurred in Prayagraj on April 15, while the brothers were in police custody regarding the investigation into Umesh Pal’s murder.
Umesh Pal served as a key witness in the 2005 murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Apart from his role as a prime witness in the aforementioned murder case, Umesh Pal had also lodged five additional cases against Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf, and their henchmen, accusing them of abduction and threats to dissuade him from providing testimony.
The BSP MLA, Raju Pal, was brutally assassinated in broad daylight in Prayagraj on January 25, 2005, and Atiq stands accused in this sensational murder case. A CBI inquiry was subsequently initiated by the Supreme Court in 2016 to investigate this case. Raju Pal’s murder occurred a mere three months after he secured victory in the Allahabad (West) assembly seat, defeating Ashraf in his electoral debut.
The chargesheet and subsequent legal proceedings against the nine accused individuals represent a significant step towards uncovering the hidden machinations that took place within the Bareilly jail. It highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies to expose and dismantle criminal networks that operate both inside and outside the prison system. The charges brought against the accused individuals send a clear message that such illicit activities will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial to maintain a strong focus on upholding the principles of justice and ensuring that those involved in criminal conspiracies face the full force of the law. The chargesheet filed against the nine accomplices of the slain mafia brothers serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of the police and their commitment to unravelling the truth. The legal proceedings that follow will shed further light on the intricate web of criminal activities, providing justice for the victims and reinforcing the belief in a fair and impartial judicial system.