Evolution of Atiq Ahmad's killers: From common criminals to infamous figures

LUCKNOW: The three men who attacked the gangsters Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf while posing as journalists told police they did it to establish their reputations as criminals. At least two of their names are already listed in the state's police station records. But for nothing as outrageous as the two brothers being shot nearly point-blank while being led into a hospital in Prayagraj on Saturday night for a checkup in front of cameras.

Police officers who were with the Ahmad brothers arrested the alleged attackers, Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur, and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj.

In the crossfire, which also hurt a policeman, Tiwari was hurt.
A Banda resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told media representatives that Tiwari's family was unlike that of the rebellious son, whom he also referred to as a "drug addict.".
"His family has been our neighbour. The family is simple. Two of his brothers are priests while one is still studying. Lavlesh has been into crime and has been to jail several times. He has also gone to jail in an eve-teasing case earlier," he said.
"He had ambitions to earn a big name in the world of crime," the neighbour claimed.
In Hamirpur, Sunny's brother Pintu said he had no idea how he got into crime.
"My brother used to do nothing, and roam here and there. He has some cases registered against him, but I don't know the details," he told reporters on Sunday.
"We were three brothers, out of which one has died earlier. I don't know how Sunny got into crime. He ran away from home many years ago. I have no clue about what happened yesterday," he said.
A neighbour said Sunny has not been living in the area for about 10 years.
"He was a resident of Kurara, and was normal when he was young. He went to jail after a brawl, after which his mentality changed and he entered the world of crime. After a few incidents, he left Kurara. He was in Hamirpur jail for about a year," he said.
In Kasganj, the neighbours of Arun Maurya expressed shock over the incident.
The alleged shooter's parents are dead. Two of his brothers are in the scrap business in Delhi, they told reporters.
They also claimed that no one in the village knew what Maurya did and where he lived. He too appeared to have left the village about a decade ago.
Police have charged the three men for murder and attempt to murder, as well as under the Arms Act. At least two firearms were recovered from the site of the shooting.
According to the FIR, the accused told police they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity in the state by eliminating Atiq Ahmad's gang.
They said they couldn't make their escape because of the swift police action, according to the FIR.
"Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan," one of the accused told police.
Police said the three assailants had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from the two gangsters. The men suddenly dropped their camera and whipped out the arms, they said.
(With inputs from PTI)