Umesh Pal murder: Sadakat Khan, who has been named as one of accused in the sensational Umesh Pal murder on February 24, is said to be close to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. On February 24, Umesh Pal, the prime witness in 2005 murder case of then BSP MLA Raju Pal was killed in broad daylight.
One of Sadaqat's undated pictures surfaced on social media with SP President Akhilesh Yadav. He is a practicing lawyer who was staying at Allahabad University hostel. Police said they are looking into how he was staying in the hostel. On Monday, STF arrested Khan, a resident of Ghazipur. Responding to the allegations, the SP chief on the floor of the Assembly said, "These are the times of social media where anyone can be clicked with anybody."
Giving information about other police action in the Umesh Pal murder case, police said that the name of one Sadakat Khan, resident of Ghazipur, has also come to light in this conspiracy. He is a practising lawyer who was staying at Allahabad University hostel. Police said they are looking into how he was staying in the hostel. STF arrested Khan on Monday and he is being interrogated, the officer said.
Sadaqat is also said to be close to Atiq Ahmed's family and his picture with Atiq Ahmed's son has also gone viral.
However, the Samajwadi Party was quick to respond to the photo-allegation. According to Ameeque Jamei, national spokesperson of Samajwadi Party, Sadaqat was currently a member of BJP. He even shared a picture of Sadaqat where he is seen sitting with the husband of former BJP MLA Neelam Karwariya's at the latter's house.
Main accused killed in encounter
Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday gunned down one of the accused in the sensational February 24 killing of a prime witness in 2005 murder case of the BSP MLA Raju Pal in an encounter here, officials said. Police claimed that they retaliated when the accused opened fire at them. A police officer was injured during the encounter, they said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Navendu Kumar said that Arbaaz, who was the driver of the white SUV used by the assailants to attack witness Umesh Pal, was surrounded by police teams following an intelligence input.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had vowed to destroy the mafias after the opposition Samajwadi Party had questioned the law and order situation in the state in the wake of the February 24 killing.
