UP govt seizes Atiq Ahmed's property worth Rs 50 crore

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh government has seized property valued at approximately Rs 50 crore, belonging to the late politician and gangster Atiq Ahmed in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The properties were allegedly acquired through illegal means.

Indside Atiq Ahmed's illegal land deal

According to media reports, the property in question situated in Kathula Gauspur village was initially registered under the name of a mason, Hooblal. However, further investigation revealed that Atiq Ahmed had used funds obtained through illegal activities to purchase the land and had even publicly claimed ownership, stating he could transfer the property to his name at will. 

During interrogation, Hooblal stated that he had no connection to the property and that Atiq Ahmed had forced him to register the land in his name in 2015, against his will.

Atiq's family unable to validate property claim 

The Prayagraj Police, investigating this case under the Gangsters Act, discovered the fraudulent property ownership and took possession of the land in November 2023. The Police Commissioner's Court, acting under Section 14(1) of the Gangsters Act, gave Atiq's family a three-month deadline to produce evidence of his rightful ownership, but they were unable to provide any valid documents to support their claim.

In an interview with the TOI, DCP (City) Deepak Bhuker said this marked a significant milestone as the first instance where a gangster court in Prayagraj ordered the transfer of a benami property to the state government. He underscored the significance of this verdict, emphasizing the authorities' commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that illegally acquired assets are recovered for the greater good of the public.

Atiq and his brother were shot dead

On April 15 last year, Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were fatally shot by attackers while they were being escorted by police for medical treatment, despite being under police protection at the time.