Raju Pal

Raju Pal (died January 2005) was a Bahujan Samaj Party politician. In 2004, gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed resigned from Prayagraj West Assembly constituency after being elected to the Lok Sabha.^[1] Raju Pal won the subsequent by-election in November 2004, defeating Atiq's younger brother Mohammad Ashraf.

Raju Pal
Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
In office 2004–2005
Preceded by	Atiq Ahmed
Succeeded by	Khalid Azim
Constituency	Prayagraj West
Personal details
Died	25 January 2005
Political party	Bahujan Samaj Party
Spouse	Puja Pal
Occupation	Politician

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]

References

1. . The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007.
2. . DNA India. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
3. . Sify. April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
4. Arun Chaubey (May 2007). . Zee News. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
5. Singh, Vijay Pratap (16 July 2009). . The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
6. . frontline.thehindu.com. 24 February 2005. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
7. Gupta, Shekhar (16 April 2023). . ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
8. . Bhaskar (in Hindi). 22 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
9. "Atiq Ahmed Son Encounter: Mafia Atiq's son Asad was killed in a police encounter". Yugantar Pravah. from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
10. "Umesh Pal murder: Atiq Ahmed to be shifted from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail to Prayagraj in 36 hours". India Today. from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
11. . Indian Express. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
12. . Hindustan Times. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
13. . The Times of India. 3 February 2005. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
14. . Firstpost. 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
15. . The Times of India. 29 March 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
16. . The Indian Express. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
17. . Bhaskar (in Hindi). 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
18. Salaria, Shikha (26 March 2023). . ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
19. "Umesh Pal murder | U.P. Police doubles reward to ₹5 lakh for information on five accused". The Hindu. 14 March 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
20. . Hindustan Times. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.