In the depths of New Delhi, a specialized CBI tribunal in Lucknow pronounced verdicts against seven individuals implicated in the demise of former BSP legislator Raju Pal in 2005. It’s noted that this case also involved the slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad as a defendant, according to officials.

Legal proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his sibling and chief accused Khalid Azim, also known as Ashraf, and an individual named Gulbul, also known as Rafiq, were nullified subsequent to their demise.

Raju Pal, a prominent figure in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, met his demise on January 25, 2005, amidst a political feud with Ashraf, the brother of Atiq Ahmad, whom he had vanquished in the 2004 by-election for the Prayagraj West constituency.

The BSP luminary had succumbed to Ashraf in the electoral contest for the seat in 2002. However, following Atiq Ahmad’s relinquishment of the position subsequent to his ascension to the Lok Sabha, Pal triumphed over Ashraf in the by-election.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took charge of the investigation into the matter in 2016. The CBI’s Special Judge in Lucknow found Ranjeet Pal, Abid, Farhan Ahmad, Israr Ahmad, Javed, Gulhasan, and Abdul Kavi culpable of criminal conspiracy and homicide, among other grave accusations.

Farhan Ahmad, one of the accused, was also found guilty under the Indian Arms Act. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf met a sensational demise on April 15 of the preceding year, amidst a brazen shooting captured on camera, as assailants targeted them near a medical institution in Prayagraj while under police escort.

The incident unfolded before the lenses of media personnel, who were tailing the duo as they were being escorted by law enforcement for a medical evaluation. At least two individuals were observed firing at close proximity towards Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf, resulting in their collapse, while police personnel subdued the assailants.