NEW DELHI: A Prayagraj MP/MLA court on Tuesday sentenced mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, Dinesh Pasi and Khan Saulat Hanif to life imprisonment in 2007 Umesh Pal kidnapping case.
However, all the other seven accused, including Atiq’s brother Ashraf, have been acquitted.
Soon after the court’s verdict, Jaya Pal, wife of slain Umesh Pal said she will continue fight against Atiq.
Umesh Pal’s mother expressed satisfaction over the judgement and said she has full faith in the judiciary and CM Yogi Adityanath.
“He (Atiq Ahmed) was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping my son but he should be given a death sentence for killing my son. I have faith in UP CM Yogi Adityanath and the judicial system,” said Umesh Pal’s mother Shanti Devi.
Reacting to the court verdict, UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said the state government is committed towards providing a fear-free environment to the people in the state.
“Our govt is eradicating criminals by running a drive and court is being requested that every criminal gets stringent punishment. People believe that the state will have a fearless environment,” said said Pathak.
Also See: Atiq Ahmed News Live

The kidnapping case was based on a complaint by lawyer Umesh Pal, a witness in 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case.
The trial by MP/MLA court of Prayagraj had concluded on March 21, 2023.
Umesh in his FIR lodged in 2007 had alleged that the henchmen of Atiq had kidnapped and thrashed him asking him to turn hostile in the Raju Pal murder case.
An FIR was lodged by Umesh in this connection on July 5, 2007 at Dhoomanganj police station under section 364 A (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) and other sections of Indian Penal Code.
Incidentally, Umesh Pal along with two of his police gunners was killed on February 24 this year near his house at Sulemsarai area of the city.
Atiq, Ashraf brought to Prayagraj under tight vigil
Atiq Ahmad, his younger brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf and Farhan alias Pahalwan were brought to Prayagraj from different parts of the country amid tight security on Monday in connection with the 2007 Umesh Pal kidnapping case.

Ten accused in the case were also produced before the court.
The trio was lodged at high security barracks of Naini Central jail where they were under constant CCTV vigil. Cops on duty were also armed with body-worn cameras.
Prayagraj cops brought all three high-profile accused, Atiq from Sabarmati jail, Asharf from Bareilly and Pahalwan from Chitrakoot jails under “Mission Secret” wherein the cops accompanying them were not told about who they would be bringing and from which location or through which route.