Atiq-Ashraf Murder: Supreme Court to Hear Plea on April 24 in Presence of Police
Atiq-Ashraf Murder: On April 15 night, Ahmed and Ashraf were shot dead by three guys posing as journalists while addressing reporters' questions while being taken by police officials for medical tests in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
On Tuesday i.e. April 18, internet access was restored in Prayagraj. It had been put on hold following the deaths of Atiq and Ashraf.
The Prayagraj police commissioner has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the deaths of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf.
The Supreme Court has said that on April 24, it will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding an investigation into the deaths of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother, Ashraf, in police custody.
Petition filed was referred to CJI
The plea filed by counsel Vishal Tiwari was referred to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud for an urgent hearing.
An inquiry has been demanded by Mr. Tiwari regarding the 183 incidents of encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since the year 2017.
The unit will also include DCP Satish Chandra, ACP Satyendra Prasad Tiwari, and Inspector Om Prakash from the Kotwali police station.
Authorities in Prayagraj on Monday sent the shooters, identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22), Mohit alias Shani (23) and Arun Kumar Maurya (18), to Pratapgarh Jail due to security concerns.
Vishal Tiwari in his petition
According to the lawyer, the perpetrators shot Atiq and Ashraf dead in front of police officers while disguised as media professionals.
"This is a direct challenge to Indian democracy and the rule of law." The perpetrators were captured later, although there was no police protection or retaliation during the crime.
"This calls into question transparency and demonstrates that this was a preplanned attack with no recourse for the accused," said counsel Vishal Tiwari in his plea.
He further stated that extrajudicial executions and fabricated police encounters are illegal and cannot exist in a democratic society.
He also stated that the police should not be allowed to become a form of final justice or a punishing power.
The Judiciary alone has the authority to punish. When police officers become 'DARE DEVILS,' the entire rule of law crumbles.