Umesh Pal murder case: SC dismisses Atiq Ahmad's plea for protection in UP police custody
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed jailed former MP and alleged gangster Atiq Ahmad's plea seeking protection during his custody with Uttar Pradesh police in the Umesh Pal murder case.
A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi granted Ahmad liberty to approach the Allahabad High Court for protection after he claimed his life is under threat while being in the custody of UP police.
It refused to record that the former Samajwadi Party MP's life is under threat despite vehement requests by Ahmad's counsel. Since he is in judicial custody, Uttar Pradesh state machinery will take care of his protection in case of threat to his life, the court said.
"It is not a case where this court is going to interfere. Liberty granted to move appropriate application before the High Court. Whatever is the process prescribed under law will be followed," the bench said.
Ahmad's counsel said there is serious threat to his life while in police custody in the Umesh Pal murder case.
"I am not shying away from any custody or police interrogation in the case but what I want is grant me protection as there is serious threat to my life," he said.
The bench, however, dismissed his plea.
The top court was hearing a plea of Ahmad seeking protection and claiming that he and his family have been falsely "roped in" as accused in the Umesh Pal murder case in Prayagraj.
Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 killing of then BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two security guards were killed in a shooting on February 24.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says he ‘hasn’t even thought about’ continuing Iran ceasefire
Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he has not yet considered whether he would continue the ceasefire involving Iran, while also claiming the United States holds the advantage in negotiations.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was prepared to make a deal with “whoever is running the show” in Iran.
“They are fighting with each other, there’s tremendous infighting. They’re probably fighting for leadership in many cases. I think they’re fighting not to be leader because we knocked out two levels of leaders,” he said.
Trump added, “When they want they can call me. We have all the cards, we’ve won everything.”
Referring to ongoing negotiations, he said, “They gave us a paper that should’ve been better. And, interestingly, immediately when I cancelled it [envoy trip to Pakistan], within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better.”
“We talked about they will not have a nuclear weapon, very simple … They offered a lot, but not enough,” he added.
When asked whether he would continue the ceasefire, Trump replied, “I haven’t even thought about it.”
The remarks come as uncertainty remains over the future of the temporary truce and broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
