The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested an aide of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed from Malviya Nagar in New Delhi. Abdul Samad alias Saddam, is the brother-in-law of Ashraf, who was the brother of gangster Atiq Ahmed. According to police, Saddam, who was also carrying a bounty of Rs one lakh on his head, is also an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case of Prayagraj. According to the STF, Saddam, was also involved in many criminal cases, including those of murder, extortion, illegal mining and robbery.
Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by assailants when they were being taken for a medical examination in police custody in April.
Saddam had fled to Dubai after the Umesh Pal murder in February and returned to India after a few months, reports suggested. When Ashraf was lodged in Bareilly jail, it was Saddam who would facilitate his meeting with outsiders. Police also said that Saddam was in hiding in Karnataka, Mumbai by changing names. Saddam, a member of Atiq Ahmed's gang was arrested when he was on his way to meet his girlfriend Anam, the STF said.
A few days ago, a local court had rejected the anticipatory bail application of Saddam. The court was told that Saddam was likely to bribe jail officials with gifts to get special facilities. After the murder of Umesh Pal and his security personnel in Prayagraj, an FIR was filed at the Bithri Chainpur Police Station in Bareilly against Ashraf, his brother-in-law Saddam, henchmen Lalla Gaddi, jail warden Shivhari Awasthi, canteen director Dayaram alias Nanhe, and other jail officers and employees for conspiracy, extortion, and giving protection to criminals.
