Lucknow: A convoy linked to Umar Ahmed, son of slain mafia don Atiq Ahmed, reportedly broke through the boom barrier at Nawabganj toll plaza on NH-19 without paying the toll on August 8, police said. Toll plaza staff who attempted to stop the vehicles were allegedly threatened and narrowly escaped being run over. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident.
The incident took place around 3:50 pm at toll booth number three, when Umar Ahmed was being brought from Lucknow jail to attend the funeral of his younger brother Abaan, who died in a road accident near Jhansi.
According to the FIR filed by toll plaza assistant manager Jayprakash Yadav, a white Mahindra XUV (UP 32 NJ 1458), a black Hyundai Creta (UP 70 HP 8416), and around 25–30 other vehicles allegedly followed the police escort and sped through the plaza without paying the toll, breaking through the boom barrier.
Toll Plaza Staff Threatened, Vehicles Allegedly Broke Barrier
Computer operator Ajit and helper Anshuman Shukla, who were on duty at the toll barrier, reportedly tried to stop the vehicles. According to the FIR, the occupants abused and threatened the toll staff, while some vehicles were allegedly driven towards them in an attempt to run them over. The staff members said they stepped back in time to avoid being hit.
The complaint filed by the toll plaza assistant manager lists the registration numbers of several vehicles that passed through the toll plaza without making payment. The FIR states that the incident resulted in damage to government property, including the boom barrier, besides causing revenue loss to the toll plaza.
Nawabganj police have registered a case based on the complaint and launched an investigation. Further action will be taken based on the vehicle registration numbers and other evidence gathered during the probe.
Atiq Ahmed’s youngest son, Abaan, died in a road accident while travelling to Jhansi. Following his death, his brothers Ali and Umar were granted parole to attend the funeral. Ali and Umar were being transported from Jhansi and Lucknow jails, respectively, under police escort.
Supporters of the Atiq Ahmed family reportedly followed the police escort vehicles in a convoy, with the trailing vehicles allegedly passing through the Nawabganj toll plaza without paying the toll.
Abaan’s body was brought to the Kasari-Masari cemetery in Prayagraj by ambulance amid heavy security. The body had been taken from a hospital in Jhansi to the residence of his aunt, Parveen Qureshi, on Friday. Following the namaz-e-janaza at the mosque, his brothers Umar and Ali carried the body to the grave for burial as a large crowd gathered at the cemetery.
Shaista Parveen, who is wanted in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case, has been absconding for the past three years. She did not attend her son’s funeral or burial and reportedly remained in hiding.
Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in 2023, while another of Atiq’s sons, Asad, was killed in a police encounter the same year. His sons Umar and Ali remain in jail, while his fourth son is reportedly living with his aunt. The death of Abaan in a road accident is the latest tragedy to affect the family.
