Atiq Ahmed's Family Collapses in Less Than Three Years

The downfall of former MP and mafia don Atiq Ahmed's family is a dramatic crime story in recent Uttar Pradesh history. In less than three years, the family has lost its political influence, criminal network, wealth, and several key members.

The latest blow came with the death of Atiq's youngest son, Abaan Ahmed, in a road accident near Jhansi. Abaan was travelling to meet his jailed brother when the accident occurred. This marks another chapter in the rapid disintegration of a family that once dominated Prayagraj's underworld and politics.

On April 13, 2023, Atiq's son Asad Ahmed was killed in an STF encounter near Jhansi. Two days later, Atiq Ahmed and his younger brother Ashraf were shot dead by three gunmen while being escorted by police for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Today, the family stands almost shattered, with two of Atiq's sons in jail and his wife, Shaista Parveen, and Ashraf's wife, Zainab, absconding and wanted by police.

Only one son, Ahzam, remains outside prison and performed Abaan's last rites. Just three years ago, the picture was very different, with the Ahmed family living in its sprawling ancestral house in Chakia, barely four kilometres from Prayagraj Junction. The property served as the centre of Atiq's political and criminal operations but was demolished by authorities following the Umesh Pal murder case.

All five of Atiq's sons studied at the prestigious St Joseph's School in Prayagraj. Atiq bought a Pajero SUV to take them to school, and residents recall that whenever the brothers travelled for family functions, they moved in a convoy of four vehicles accompanied by nearly 20 security aides, several of them armed.

Among the brothers, the eldest, Umar Ahmed, was considered soft-spoken and academically inclined. However, after completing his studies, he allegedly joined the family's extortion network and is now lodged in Lucknow jail. Abaan, in contrast, was known more for cricket than academics and was remembered by friends as an enthusiastic sportsperson.

The turning point came on February 24, 2023, when lawyer Umesh Pal, the main witness in the 2005 murder of former BSP MLA Raju Pal, was shot dead outside his home in Prayagraj along with his two police security guards. This event led to a series of encounters and arrests that ultimately resulted in the downfall of the Ahmed family.

The collapse of the Ahmed family's empire has significant implications for the criminal landscape of Uttar Pradesh. With the family's influence and network dismantled, it is likely that other criminal groups will emerge to fill the power vacuum. The story of the Ahmed family serves as a reminder of the consequences of crime and the importance of law enforcement in maintaining order and justice.

In conclusion, the downfall of Atiq Ahmed's family is a cautionary tale of the rise and fall of a criminal empire. The family's collapse has far-reaching implications for the state of Uttar Pradesh and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and ensuring justice is served.