Where is Atiq aide’s licensed rifle? Cops grope in the dark

Prayagraj: Police have yet to recover the licensed rifle belonging to Atiq Ahmed’s aide Abdul Kavi who had managed to obtain it a year after BSP MLA Raju Pal was killed in 2005.
Kaushambi police had no idea about Kavi’s licence and the startling fact came to light only when they carried out a series of raids at his hideouts to nab him, after a gap of 18 years.
The search for Abdul Kavi was launched only after the sensational murder of Umesh Pal and two of his gunners by a group of armed assailants outside his house at Sulemsarai area under the limits of Dhoomanganj police station of Prayagaj district on February 24.
Kavi, a close aide of mafia turned politician Atiq, was wanted by police in connection with the 2005 case of BSP MLA Raju Pal’s murder and had been elusive for 18 years till he surrendered in CBI court in Lucknow. He was also carrying Rs 1 lakh cash reward on his head.
Police sources told TOI that Abdul Kavi, resident of Bhakhanda village under the jurisdiction of Sarayakil police station of Kaushambi district, had managed to obtain the firearm licence in August 2006.