By Santosh Kumar Sharma: Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, accused in the murder of Umesh Pal, is brought to Prayagraj in UP from Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat every time the court proceedings are scheduled.
Atiq is the prime accused in the killing of Umesh Pal, who was a witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005. Atiq is also an accused in the Raju Pal murder case and is lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail.
Two police vans and two escort vehicles with 37 police personnel are sent from Prayagraj to bring Atiq Ahmed for the trial in the Umesh Pal case from Sabarmati Jail and then to take him back once the court adjourns. The gangster travels nearly 1,275 km one way.
The Uttar Pradesh government is spending around Rs 10 lakh to produce Atiq Ahmed before a Prayagraj court from Sabarmati Jail.
The government spends Rs 6 lakh on the salary and dearness allowance (DA) of the 37 policemen deployed for transporting Atiq. This figure is based on four days’ salary after calculating their average pay and adding the DA amount.
In addition, the fuel cost comes to Rs 3 lakh.
Also Read | Alive because of you: Atiq Ahmed thanks media enroute UP’s Prayagraj from Sabarmati jail
Rs 3 LAKH IN FUEL FOR POLICE, ESCORT VANS
The average mileage of a police van is 5 km/litre. Given this, 255 liters of diesel is needed in one van one way. The cost comes up to around Rs 25,000.
Now, since two police vans accompany Atiq Ahmed, the cost of one side goes up to Rs 50,000. The van goes from Prayagraj to the Sabarmati Jail and returns to Prayagraj with the gangster. Once the court proceedings are over, the van takes him back to the Sabarmati Jail before returning to Prayagraj once again. Hence, the two vans make four rounds and the cost of diesel is around Rs 2 lakh.
Similarly, two vehicles follow as police escort, the average mileage of which are 12km/litre. For a one-way journey, 107 litres of diesel is needed in each police escort car. The cost comes to around Rs 10,000. Just like the police vans transporting Atiq, these cars also make four rounds. The cost of fuel for the police escort vehicles is Rs 80,000.
Also Read | Atiq Ahmed money laundering case: ED conducts searches at various locations in UP)
Rs 6 LAKH ON POLICEMEN
One Commanding Officer, one inspector, two sub-inspectors, six drivers, four head constables and 23 constables have been appointed for Atiq Ahmed’s commute. These policemen are paid Rs 6 lakh in salaries and dearness allowances. In addition to the security of the Prayagraj Police, separate police teams are also deployed.
WHY IS THE UP GOVERNMENT SPENDING SO MUCH?
The Uttar Pradesh government is spending lakhs on bringing Atiq Ahmed from Sabarmati Jail to Prayagraj and then taking him back. But why is the government doing so?
Ahmed has been lodged in the Sabarmati Jail since June 2019 after the Supreme Court in April that year directed that the former MP from Phulpur in UP be shifted to a high-security facility in Gujarat. This came after Atiq was accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and assault of a real estate businessman, Mohit Jaiswal, while being lodged in a prison in UP.
While he was being transferred to UP recently and the police vehicles stopped in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri before entering UP, Atiq spoke Atiq Ahmed said, “I will convey to the government through you that I have already been buried in the ground (metaphorically), what else I can do now. Please keep my family away.”
Atiq Ahmed was once synonymous with terror in Uttar Pradesh is scared that he would be killed in a fake police encounter. He thanked the media for keeping him safe.
Also Read | Umesh Pal murder: Gangster Atiq Ahmed to be brought back to Prayagraj, production warrant issued
