Umesh Pal murder: HC reserves verdict on bail pleas of accused

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has reserved its order on the bail applications of Atiq Ahmed's brother-in-law Dr Akhlaq Ahmed, lawyer Vijay Mishra, servant Niaz and driver Kaish in Umesh Pal murder case. The order was passed by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav on Wednesday after hearing both sides at length. In his bail application, Atiq's brother-in-law Dr Akhlaq Ahmed had said that he was being framed because he was a relative, while others maintained their innocence.A resident of Meerut, Dr Akhlaq Ahmed is accused of giving shelter to Umesh Pal murder case accused Guddu Muslim. Others named in the case are accused of plotting the murder.Guddu Muslim, who has been absconding since the murder, carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The police claim that after carrying out the murder, he took refuge at Dr. Akhlaq's Meerut home. Akhlaq was arrested later.In the bail plea, Akhlaq's lawyer argued that he was not named in the FIR. He is a doctor by profession and has no connection to the world of crime. He has been framed only because he is a relative of Atiq.Atiq's lawyer Vijay Mishra is accused of being an informer in the Umesh Pal murder case. Vijay was arrested in Lucknow. While seeking release on bail, his lawyer argued that he was being framed because he was Atiq's lawyer. Similarly, Kaish and Niaz also pleaded that they were innocent. Their lawyer argued that Kaish was a driver, although he had left the job a long time ago. He had no criminal history. Niaz's lawyer also declared him innocent and said that he had no connection with the incident. Nothing was recovered from him, nor was he named in the FIR.The government side, however, opposed the bail application. It was said that there is sufficient evidence against all the accused. Their release at this stage may hamper the trial proceedings, as the process of framing charges in the trial court has not yet been completed. Further, seven other accused, including Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen, Ashraf's wife Zainab, and the bomber Guddu Muslim are absconding.Umesh Pal and his two police security guards, Sandeep Nishad and Raghvendra Singh, were shot dead on February 24, 2023, outside his home in the Dhoomanganj police station area of Prayagraj.On a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a criminal case was registered against Atiq, his brother Ashraf, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Gulam and nine others. Atiq's third son Asad has already been killed in a police encounter. Atiq and his brother Ashraf were killed also on April 15, 2023.