The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Supreme Court that it has conducted a thorough investigation into the killing of gangster and former Member of Parliament (MP) Atiq Ahmed.
The status report was filed in response to a petition expressing concerns about “encounter killings” in Uttar Pradesh. The plea was prompted by the on-camera, point-blank range killing of Atiq Ahmed while in police custody.
In the filed status report, the State government emphasized that it has examined the security lapses that led to the murder. It also mentioned that a chargesheet has been filed against an arms clerk at Kotwali Police Station for criminal breach of trust in connection with the killing. The affidavit provided additional information on police reforms and modernization efforts throughout Uttar Pradesh, including instructions on handcuffing to prevent the easy escape of accused individuals.
The State government disclosed the deployment of a Special Task Force to combat crimes committed by organized criminals. Additionally, an Anti-Land Mafia Task Force has been established in all districts and is being monitored through a portal. The State government affirmed its commitment to taking effective action against 66 mafia criminals by identifying them at the government and police headquarters level. Amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Gangster and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act of 1986 are also being carried out to address the issue. The State government further stated that a proposal for the “Uttar Pradesh Organized Crime Control Bill 2017” was submitted to the government in July 2017 to tackle organized criminals.
Atiq Ahmed, a former MP and MLA, was shot dead earlier this year while in police custody, following a hospital visit and under police escort. Assailants disguised as media personnel carried out the shooting. In response, Ahmed’s wife filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, seeking a judicial inquiry into the alleged encounter killing. She alleged that the Uttar Pradesh Police have been involved in similar killings with impunity. The plea requested the registration of criminal complaints against the police officials responsible for Ahmed’s death.
The bench is also considering a petition by advocate Vishal Tiwari, in which the aforementioned affidavit by the State was filed. Tiwari’s plea seeks a probe by a judicial committee led by a retired judge of the apex court. He has also requested the committee to investigate 183 other “encounters” that have occurred in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. Furthermore, Tiwari has urged the Supreme Court to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into the alleged fake encounter of gangster Vikas Dubey. Tiwari contends that the Supreme Court should intervene to address these alleged violations of the right to life and liberty.
