Former top cop Lalji Shukla paid price for taking on Atiq Ahmed

PRAYAGRAJ: Former inspector general (IG) Lalji Shukla, who gave stiff challenge to gangster Atiq Ahmed and his henchmen during his posting in the city, had to face many difficulties, including transfer and even suspension, for taking on the don.
Shukla was posted in the Sangam city from 1995-96 to 2003 and arrested Atiq twice.
"As a result, Atiq and his criminal associates tried their level best to obstruct my path of promotion," said Shukla.
Shukla was first transferred within the fortnight after Mulayam Singh Yadav took over as the CM (on August 29, 2003) and was later even suspended on the charged of 'non-compliance of a non-existing order'.
While talking to TOI, Shukla recalled, "After being transferred, I joined Sitapur and it was on December 10, 2003 that during the selection committee of Union Public Service Commission for promoting me as an IPS officer, that the suspension letter was delivered. However, I am thankful to the almighty that my good deeds paid off and the committee approved my promotion."
However, while 26 other PPS officers, among the list of being promoted as IPS, got their letters in February, Shukla was cleared by the department and handed over the letter in March. Although the seniority of all the 27 officers remained the same.
On being asked whether the death of Atiq and Ashraf will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of his gang, Shukla said: "The death of these two and Atiq's son does not mean that his 'tower of unlawful empire' will crash. It is only the political will which will decide the future of Atiq's empire. If it is as per the present government, such elements will not flourish and in fact perish. If some other government comes to power, their ideology and decisions may or may not make the gang flourish again."
"Ek fasal kat gayi, nayi tayaar ho jayegi (one generation has perished, the second may take over)," said the former cop who had been posted as SP (rural) Dauba and trans Yamuna and later SP City.