The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has caught Guddu Muslim from Nashik, an accused in the Umesh Pal case. This comes after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on the night of April 15.
Guddu Muslim was hiding in Nashik, Maharashtra. UP STF has found Guddu Muslim by tracing the location. Uttar Pradesh Police in March announced a bounty of Rs 5 lakh against him.
It is believed that Guddu has changed his location several times, he travelled to West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat as well as Delhi, and the STF has been continuously following him.
Guddu Muslim had worked with Atiq Ahmed before, and he was a property dealer.
Guddu Muslim was born in Allahabad and began participating in illicit activities at the age of 15. Initially he egaged in robberies and extortions but later positioned himself in the criminal underworld by the mid-1990s.
Guddu has worked for several dons including Mukhtar Ansari, Abhay Singh, and Dhananjay Singh. He had spent the last ten years working with Atiq Ahmed. His name was also connected to the infamous Peter Gomes murder case in Lucknow.
It is to be noted that, seconds before being shot by unknown persons, Atiq Ahmed and his brother were interacting with the media persons. On being asked about why he was not taken to attend his son’s last rite ceremony, Atiq Ahmed said, “Nahi le gaye toh nahi le gaye.” To this, when Ashraf was adding, “Main bat ye hai Guddu Muslim,” were their last words.
Umesh Pal and one of his two armed security escorts were shot dead in Prayagraj’s Sulem Saray area on February 24. Several rounds were fired and bombs were hurled at Umesh and his gunners. Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal.
Guddu Muslim was one of the five key accused involved in the February 24 shootout incident in Prayagraj’s Dhumanganj. He was also captured in the CCTV footage hurling bombs. The five accused are Asad, Arma, Gulam, Guddu Muslim, and Sabir, the police said.
According to sources, Shaista Parveen, wife of Atiq Ahmed may surrender today. It is believed that Shaista will attend the funeral of her husband Atiq and brother-in-law Ashraf. Shaista didn’t attended his son Asad’s funeral.
