LUCKNOW: Gangster and former Samajwadi Party MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, who were arrested by the police in Umesh Pal murder case, were shot dead on Saturday. They were speaking to the media while being taken for a medical and were killed by attackers pretending to be journalists.

Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad Ahmed was killed in an encounter with UP police two days ago. The incident happened when Atiq was responding to a question raised by a journalist on why he didn’t attend his son’s funeral. “They did not take us, so we did not go.”, were his last words. Then he was shot along with his brother. According to visuals, both were handcuffed and were under police protection. The police arrested Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny and Arun Maurya for the murder. They shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan before shooting.

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a judicial inquiry on the deaths of Atiq Ahmed, a Samajwadi Party MP and his brother, arrested by the police in the Umesh Pal murder case. A three-member judicial commission is investigating the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called a high-level meeting in connection with the murder. In the wake of the incident, prohibitory orders have been announced in UP. Internet has been disconnected in Prayagraj. There is a high alert in Kanpur. DGP and senior police officials have left to Prayagraj. 17 policemen who were with Atiq have been suspended after the incident.