Encounter in Jhansi: Gangster's Son Wanted for Umesh Pal Murder Killed in Police Action

On April 12, 2023, Uttar Pradesh police carried out an encounter in Jhansi, resulting in the deaths of two men wanted in the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal. The deceased have been identified as Asad Ahmed, son of dreaded gangster Atiq Ahmed, and Ghulam. Both men had a reward of ₹ 5 lakh on their heads and were considered to be the prime suspects in Pal's murder. Asad had been captured on CCTV during the attack on Pal and had been on the run since.

According to police sources, Asad had fled to Lucknow after the murder of Umesh Pal and then moved to Kanpur, Meerut, and Delhi before deciding to flee to Madhya Pradesh. He had reached Jhansi and was on his way to the state border on a bike when police intercepted him. Asad was reportedly in disguise at the time of the encounter. Police sources revealed that they had an informer in Atiq Ahmed's gang who had tipped them off about Asad's whereabouts.

A team of 12 police officers, led by two DSP-rank officers, carried out the operation. The encounter took place at Babina road in Jhansi, and a total of 42 rounds were fired during the operation. Sophisticated weapons, new cellphones, and SIM cards were recovered from the deceased.

The murder of Umesh Pal had shocked the nation when it happened on February 24, 2023. Pal, who was a witness in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal, was shot dead in a daylight attack outside his home in Prayagraj. The security personnel guarding him were also killed. The attack had raised questions about Uttar Pradesh's law and order situation, and the government had come under strong criticism by the opposition.

Umesh Pal's murder had put the spotlight back on Atiq Ahmed, a gangster-turned-politician with over 100 cases against him. A former Samajwadi Party MP, he was convicted last month in a kidnapping case and sentenced to life imprisonment. This case related to the kidnapping of Umesh Pal back in 2006, 17 years before he was eventually murdered.

The encounter killings of Asad Ahmed and Ghulam have brought some closure to the case and will likely be seen as a victory for law enforcement. However, it also raises questions about the use of encounters as a means of dealing with criminals, as well as the larger issue of the nexus between crime and politics in India.

In conclusion, the encounter in Jhansi has brought an end to the search for the prime suspects in the murder of Umesh Pal. The deceased, Asad Ahmed and Ghulam, were wanted criminals with a history of violence. The use of encounters in dealing with criminals remains a controversial issue in India, and the case highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue of crime and politics in the country.