In January 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead while going to his village on the occasion of Republic day by Atiq Ahmed's goons for defeating his brother Ashraf.[2] Thereafter, Ashraf won the seat by defeating Pal's wife Pooja Pal.[3] Ashraf was the prime accused in the murder. Mohammad Ashraf's brother Atiq had also been charged with complicity in the murder.[4] While Atiq was in jail with 21 criminal cases pending against him, the then Mayawati government faced criticism for its failure to arrest Ashraf.[5]
Political career
Raju Pal was known for his involvement in muscle power politics.[6][7] In the 2004 general election, he contested and won by a margin of 4,000 votes.[7] Pal had contested from the Prayagraj West Assembly seat that had become vacant after Atiq Ahmed was elected as MP from Phulpur on Samajwadi Party ticket.[8] In the by-election held for this seat, Pal was fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party and defeated Atiq's younger brother, Mohd. Ashraf.[9] However, Pal's political career was marred by multiple attempts on his life. In November and December of the same year, there were two failed attempts to assassinate him, these involved the use of guns and improvised explosives.[10] During one of these attempts, he was severely injured and had to be hospitalized.[8] Despite these incidents, no preventive measures were taken by party leaders or the government. Pal was shot dead in broad daylight on January 25, 2005, a few months after becoming an MLA for the first time.[10]
Assassination
On January 25, 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead in broad daylight, leading to his first-time seat of MLA becoming empty once again. His assassination attracted criticism for the handling of the situation by the government.[11][12]
Atiq Ahmed and his brother Mohammad Ashraf were the main accused in his assassination.
Aftermath
Following Raju Pal's death, Mayawati announced that she would give the party ticket to his widow to contest the bypoll for the vacant seat.[13] His widow Puja Pal then contested the seat against Ashraf Ahmed but lost.[14] She would later defeat him in 2007 assembly elections and retain the seat in 2012 assembly election.[15][16] In 7 May 2021, one of the main accused in the case, Mohd. Akbar, a history sheeter died of COVID-19.[17] On 24 February 2023, Umesh Pal, a prime witness in the murder of Raju Pal was killed. Atiq Ahmed was the main accused in Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder case.[10][18][19] On 13 April 2023, Atiq's son Asad was killed in a police encounter.[9][11]
On 15 April 2023, Atiq Ahmed and his brother Mohammad Ashraf were shot dead while being escorted for a court-mandated medical checkup.[12][20]
