Atiq Ahmed’s son Aban Ahmed died during a road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district.
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted parole to Umar Ahmed and Ali Ahmed, sons of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, allowing them to attend the last rites of their youngest brother Aban Ahmed, who died in a tragic road accident in Jhansi on Thursday.
The High Court approved the temporary relief after considering the family’s request and directed that both Umar and Ali would not interact with the media during the period of parole. The Court further sought details from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding security arrangements, following which the state assured that adequate security would be provided for both individuals.
The final rites of Aban Ahmed are scheduled to take place at the Kasari-Masari graveyard in Prayagraj, where authorities have deployed additional security personnel to maintain law and order.
The decision comes a day after 21-year-old Aban Ahmed, the youngest son of Atiq Ahmed, died in a road accident on the Jhansi-Kanpur National Highway. According to preliminary information, Aban was travelling from Prayagraj to Jhansi to meet his elder brother Ali Ahmed when the SUV he was travelling in crashed into a road divider near the Poonch police station area.
Another passenger, identified as Sonu alias Zakir, also died in the accident, while three other occupants, including Mohammad Zaid, Umar Ahmed and Aslam, suffered injuries and were admitted to Jhansi Medical College for treatment. Police officials said the injured individuals were stable and receiving medical care.
After receiving information about Aban’s death, Atiq Ahmed’s fourth son Azham Ahmed reached Jhansi to complete the legal formalities and claim his brother’s body. Azham also requested authorities to allow his two jailed brothers, Umar Ahmed and Ali Ahmed, to participate in Aban’s last rites.
Umar Ahmed is currently lodged in Lucknow District Jail, while Ali Ahmed is lodged in Jhansi District Jail in connection with separate criminal cases. Following the family’s request, legal proceedings were initiated, and a petition seeking parole was filed before the Allahabad High Court after the district court rejected their appeal.
While allowing parole, the Allahabad High Court imposed specific conditions to ensure that the situation remains under control. The court directed Umar and Ali not to speak to media persons during their participation in the funeral proceedings.
The court also emphasised the importance of maintaining security arrangements during their temporary release. The Uttar Pradesh government informed the court that sufficient police protection would be provided. The authorities are expected to closely monitor the movement and arrangements surrounding the funeral due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
Security has been increased at the Kasari-Masari cemetery in Prayagraj ahead of Aban Ahmed’s burial.
Police teams and administrative officials have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that the funeral proceedings take place peacefully.
The administration is maintaining strict surveillance considering the previous criminal history associated with the Atiq Ahmed family and the public attention surrounding the case.
Meanwhile, investigators are examining different aspects of the road accident that claimed Aban Ahmed’s life. Police officials said a forensic team inspected the accident site and statements of survivors and eyewitnesses are being recorded to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crash.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the SUV lost control before hitting the divider. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the vehicle may have been travelling at high speed when a sudden obstacle appeared on the highway, forcing the driver to lose control.
Another survivor reportedly informed police that the vehicle became unstable after hitting a brick lying on the road. Authorities are also examining whether factors such as overspeeding, wet road conditions due to rainfall and sudden obstruction contributed to the accident.
After the accident, Aban Ahmed’s body was sent to Jhansi Medical College for postmortem examination. Following completion of medical and legal procedures, the body was handed over to the family and taken to Prayagraj for burial. Aban Ahmed was the youngest among Atiq Ahmed’s five sons. His elder brother Asad Ahmed was killed during a police encounter in Jhansi in 2023.
At present, Umar and Ali remain lodged in different Uttar Pradesh jails, while their mother Shaista Parveen has been absconding since 2023 in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case. The latest development has brought renewed attention to the legal proceedings and security arrangements surrounding the Atiq Ahmed family.
