Bareilly admin says can't keep Atiq Ahmad, cites threat to inmates, local traders

BAREILLY: The district administration and authorities in Bareilly jail have expressed their inability to keep mafia-turned-politician and former MP Atiq Ahmad citing threat to other inmates and local businessmen. Atiq was shifted to Bareilly jail from Deoria in eastern UP after a businessman was reportedly abducted and taken into his cell, where he was beaten mercilessly for not paying extortion money.

On the request of jail superintendent UP Mishra, district magistrate VK Singh has written to the principal secretary (home) with a request to shift the strongman to some other jail. “We don’t want any disturbance in the city because of Atiq Ahmad. He is a threat to peace as there is fear among businessmen ever since he has been shifted here. Some of them have strengthened their security. I have written to the principal secretary in this regard,” the DM told TOI.

Atiq was brought to Bareilly jail on Sunday. A day later, the jail superintendent wrote to the DM that the district jail was already overcrowded and short of staff. “Keeping more criminals, especially dreaded one, would create several challenges before them,” the letter said.

The DM expressed fear that after Atiq’s arrival, his goons would start camping in Bareilly. “Then, they will start extorting from local businessmen. There is panic among traders here. We believe, government will definitely move him to some other jail considering our request,” he told TOI

Ahmad was shifted after the reports that he was running extortion racket from the Deoria. After reaching Bareilly, he had claimed that police lodged fake FIR against him.

Bareilly district jail is located in Bhuta village, around 20 km from the city. There is no police station in the 5-km radius from the prison. On Thursday, additional district magistrate (executive) RS Dwivedi and superintendent of police (rural area) were tasked to examine Ahmad’s barrack thoroughly to ensure there were no mobile phones, SIM cards or any other objectionable thing with him.

“We didn’t find anything objectionable in Atiq’s barrack. There were nine more inmates housed in the same barrack. We also talked to them who said that they had no fear or any kind of distress with Ahmad’s presence,” SP (RA) Sansar Singh later told TOI.