'How did killers know?': SC's tough questions to UP govt over Atiq Ahmad killing

The top court asked the UP government how the killers got the knowledge that they were being taken to hospital.

The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Uttar Pradesh government over the heinous killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother, who were gunned down by assailants in Prayagraj, while being escorted by the police to a hospital, asking “Why were they paraded before media while being taken for a routine check-up”.

Ashraf and Atiq Ahmad were shot dead on April 15. (ANI)(HT_PRINT)

The top court, which was hearing a plea by advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking an independent probe into the killing of Ahmad and his brother Ashraf, also asked the UP government how the killers got the knowledge that they were being taken to hospital.

"How did they know? We have seen it on TV. Why were they not taken to the ambulance right from the entry gate of the hospital? Why were they paraded?" the court asked.

Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the UP government informed the court that the brothers were being taken for a medical test as mandated by the court. “As per orders of the court, they had to be taken for medical tests every two days. So, the press knew”, he said.

"This man (Atiq Ahmad) and his entire family have been embroiled in heinous cases for the last 30 years. This incident particularly is a gruesome incident. We have apprehended the killers, and they said they did this to gain importance," Rohatgi said.

"Everyone saw the killings on the television. The killers came in the guise of news photographers. They had passes, were carrying cameras, and were even carrying identity cards that were later found to be fake. There were 50 people there and more people outside. This is how they managed to kill," he added.

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The state government is looking into the matter and has constituted a three-member commission, Rohatgi said, adding that a special investigation team from the UP Police is also probing the matter.

Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead while they were being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj on April 15 night amid police presence.

(With inputs from PTI)