View source for Raju Pal

{{Short description|Indian politician (died 2005)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Raju Pal
| office              = [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency        = [[Prayagraj West Assembly constituency|Prayagraj West]]
| predecessor         = [[Atiq Ahmed]]
| successor           = Khalid Azim
| spouse              = [[Puja Pal]]
| death_date          = 25 January 2005
| state               =
| party               = [[Bahujan Samaj Party]]
| term                = 2004–2005
| occupation          = Politician
}}
'''Raju Pal''' (died January 2005) was a [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] politician. In 2004, gangster-politician [[Atiq Ahmed]] resigned from [[Prayagraj West Assembly constituency]] after being elected to the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref name=hindu>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/16/stories/2007051601961500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116151152/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/16/stories/2007051601961500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2007-11-16 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Let CBI probe Raju Pal murder: new government | date=2007-05-16}}</ref> Raju Pal won the subsequent by-election in November 2004, defeating Atiq's younger brother Mohammad Ashraf.
In January 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead while going to his village on the occasion of [[Republic Day (India)|Republic day]] by Atiq Ahmed's goons for defeating his brother Ashraf.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atiq Ahmed shot dead: Who was Raju Pal, MLA whose murder made Atiq Ahmed most wanted criminal? |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-atiq-ahmed-shot-dead-who-was-raju-pal-whose-2005-murder-led-to-umesh-pal-s-killing-know-all-about-the-case-3036657 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419064529/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-atiq-ahmed-shot-dead-who-was-raju-pal-whose-2005-murder-led-to-umesh-pal-s-killing-know-all-about-the-case-3036657 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> Thereafter, Ashraf won the seat by defeating Pal's wife [[Pooja Pal]].<ref>
{{cite news
| title =        Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls : Gangsters join race for UP Assembly
| website =    [[Sify]]
| url =          http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14413910
| archive-url =          https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224752/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14413910
| url-status =          dead
| archive-date =          2007-09-27
| date =         April 2007
| accessdate =   2007-05-12
}}</ref> Ashraf was the prime accused in the murder. Mohammad Ashraf's brother Atiq had also been charged with complicity in the murder.<ref>{{cite news
| title =        All with 'shades' least are 'white'
| author =       Arun Chaubey
| publisher =    Zee News
| url =          http://www.zeenews.com/uppoll/fullstory.asp?sid=upe&aid=365058
| date =         May 2007
| accessdate =   2007-05-13
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514040154/http://www.zeenews.com/uppoll/fullstory.asp?sid=upe&aid=365058 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-05-14}}</ref>  While Atiq was in jail with 21 criminal cases pending against him, the then [[Mayawati#Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh|Mayawati government]] faced criticism for its failure to arrest Ashraf.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijay Pratap |date=16 July 2009 |title=Raju Pal murder: STF to help arrest Ashraf |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com:80/news/raju-pal-murder-stf-to-help-arrest-ashraf/490114 |accessdate=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121131404/http://archive.indianexpress.com:80/news/raju-pal-murder-stf-to-help-arrest-ashraf/490114 |archive-date=2017-01-21}}</ref>
== Political career ==
Raju Pal was known for his involvement in muscle power politics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-24 |title=Canker of criminalization |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/article30203701.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027214825/https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/article30203701.ece |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shekhar |date=2023-04-16 |title=‘Murderer at 17, brutal mafioso’ with stint in Parliament: Atiq Ahmed, a story of crime & heartland politics |url=https://theprint.in/india/murderer-at-17-brutal-mafioso-with-stint-in-parliament-atiq-ahmed-a-story-of-crime-heartland-politics/1522725/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430154752/https://theprint.in/india/murderer-at-17-brutal-mafioso-with-stint-in-parliament-atiq-ahmed-a-story-of-crime-heartland-politics/1522725/ |archive-date=2023-04-30 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 2004 general election, he contested and won by a margin of 4,000 votes.<ref name=":7" /> Pal had contested from the [[Prayagraj West Assembly constituency|Prayagraj West Assembly]] seat that had become vacant after Atiq Ahmed was elected as [[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] from [[Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency|Phulpur]] on [[Samajwadi Party]] ticket.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2016 |title=पंक्‍चर बनाने वाले की बेटी हैं MLA पूजा पाल, 9 दिन में हो गई थीं विधवा {{!}} MLA Pooja Pal is the daughter of a puncture maker, became a widow in 9 days |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-ALAH-bsp-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-story-of-wife-pooja-pal-5229838-PHO.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127163239/http://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-ALAH-bsp-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-story-of-wife-pooja-pal-5229838-PHO.html |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=Bhaskar |language=Hindi}}</ref> In the [[by-election]] held for this seat, Pal was fielded by the [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] and defeated Atiq's younger brother, Mohd. Ashraf.<ref name=":3" /> However, Pal's political career was marred by multiple attempts on his life. In November and December of the same year, there were two failed attempts to [[assassinate]] him, these involved the use of guns and [[Improvised explosive device|improvised explosives]].<ref name=":1" /> During one of these attempts, he was severely injured and had to be hospitalized.<ref name=":6" /> Despite these incidents, no preventive measures were taken by party leaders or the government. Pal was shot dead in broad daylight on January 25, 2005, a few months after becoming an MLA for the first time.<ref name=":1" />
== Assassination ==
On January 25, 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead in broad daylight, leading to his first-time seat of MLA becoming empty once again. His assassination attracted criticism for the handling of the situation by the government.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
Atiq Ahmed and his brother Mohammad Ashraf were the main accused in his assassination.
== Aftermath ==
Following Raju Pal's death, Mayawati announced that she would give the party ticket to his widow to contest the bypoll for the vacant seat.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-02-03 |title=Mayawati seeks CBI inquiry into Pal murder case |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mayawati-seeks-cbi-inquiry-into-pal-murder-case/articleshow/1009800.cms |access-date=2023-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505144116/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mayawati-seeks-cbi-inquiry-into-pal-murder-case/articleshow/1009800.cms |archive-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> His widow Puja Pal then contested the seat against Ashraf Ahmed but lost.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=Atiq Ahmed Murder: The 18-year-old curse that destroyed dreaded UP mafia don |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/atiq-ahmed-murder-the-18-year-old-curse-that-destroyed-dreaded-up-mafia-don-12462712.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429071807/https://www.firstpost.com/india/atiq-ahmed-murder-the-18-year-old-curse-that-destroyed-dreaded-up-mafia-don-12462712.html |archive-date=2023-04-29 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> She would later defeat him in 2007 assembly elections and retain the seat in 2012 assembly election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-29 |title=Ex-MLA Puja Pal to contest from Unnao seat on SP ticket |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/ex-mla-puja-pal-to-contest-from-unnao-seat-on-sp-ticket/articleshow/68624946.cms |access-date=2023-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429071807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/ex-mla-puja-pal-to-contest-from-unnao-seat-on-sp-ticket/articleshow/68624946.cms |archive-date=2023-04-29 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-31 |title=Allahabad High Court cancels Atiq Ahmed’s bail in Raju Pal murder case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/allahabad-high-court-cancels-atiq-ahmeds-bail-in-raju-pal-murder-case/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430230107/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/allahabad-high-court-cancels-atiq-ahmeds-bail-in-raju-pal-murder-case/ |archive-date=2023-04-30 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In 7 May 2021, one of the main accused in the case, Mohd. Akbar, a [[History-sheeter|history sheeter]] died of COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2021 |title=MLA राजू पाल हत्याकांड के आरोपी की कोरोना से मौत:अतीक अहमद का करीबी था मो. अकबर, कई जिलों में 20 से ज्यादा मुकदमें दर्ज थे {{!}} MLA Raju Pal murder accused died of corona: Mohd was close to Atiq Ahmed. Akbar, more than 20 cases were registered in many districts |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/news/friend-of-don-atiq-ahmed-died-in-uttar-pradesh-akbar-was-accused-in-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-along-with-atiq-ahmed-128472188.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174005/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/news/friend-of-don-atiq-ahmed-died-in-uttar-pradesh-akbar-was-accused-in-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-along-with-atiq-ahmed-128472188.html |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Bhaskar |language=Hindi}}</ref> On 24 February 2023, Umesh Pal, a prime witness in the murder of Raju Pal was killed. Atiq Ahmed was the main accused in Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder case.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Umesh Pal murder: Atiq Ahmed to be shifted from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail to Prayagraj in 36 hours |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/umesh-pal-murder-cops-to-bring-atiq-ahmed-from-sabarmati-jail-to-prayagraj-via-jhansi-in-25-hours-sources-2351616-2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327112220/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/umesh-pal-murder-cops-to-bring-atiq-ahmed-from-sabarmati-jail-to-prayagraj-via-jhansi-in-25-hours-sources-2351616-2023-03-26 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Salaria |first=Shikha |date=2023-03-26 |title=Atiq Ahmed to be shifted to Prayagraj for 2007 abduction case verdict, UP cops reach Gujarat jail |url=https://theprint.in/?p=1473658 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402121905/https://theprint.in/india/atiq-ahmed-to-be-shifted-to-prayagraj-for-2007-abduction-case-verdict-up-cops-reach-gujarat-jail/1473658/ |archive-date=2023-04-02 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-03-14 |title=Umesh Pal murder {{!}} U.P. Police doubles reward to ₹5 lakh for information on five accused |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/umesh-pal-murder-up-police-doubles-reward-to-5-lakh-for-information-on-five-accused/article66617488.ece |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327112220/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/umesh-pal-murder-up-police-doubles-reward-to-5-lakh-for-information-on-five-accused/article66617488.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> On 13 April 2023, Atiq's son Asad was killed in a [[Encounter killing|police encounter]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yugantarpravah.com/news/atiq-ahamad-son-encounter-mafia-atiq-son-asad-was-killed-in-a-police-encounter-987931-13-04-2023|title=Atiq Ahmed Son Encounter: Mafia Atiq's son Asad was killed in a police encounter|website=Yugantar Pravah|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413151941/https://www.yugantarpravah.com/news/atiq-ahamad-son-encounter-mafia-atiq-son-asad-was-killed-in-a-police-encounter-987931-13-04-2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/asad-ahmed-police-encounter-atiq-ahmed-umesh-pal-8554651/|title=Atiq Ahmed's son Asad killed in police encounter: How Ahmed's family is implicated in the Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder cases|website=Indian Express|date=13 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413180015/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/asad-ahmed-police-encounter-atiq-ahmed-umesh-pal-8554651/}}</ref>
On 15 April 2023, Atiq Ahmed and his brother Mohammad Ashraf were shot dead while being escorted for a court-mandated medical checkup.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf shot dead in Prayagraj, 3 attackers arrested |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gangsterturnedpolitician-atiq-ahmad-his-brother-ashraf-shot-dead-101681578709934.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522215814/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gangsterturnedpolitician-atiq-ahmad-his-brother-ashraf-shot-dead-101681578709934.html |archive-date=2023-05-22 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HTq">{{Cite web |date=15 April 2023 |title='Main baat Guddu Muslim...': Atiq Ahmad, brother shot dead as they were speaking |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/main-baat-guddu-muslim-atiq-ahmad-brother-shot-dead-as-they-were-speaking-101681580294623.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504203418/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/main-baat-guddu-muslim-atiq-ahmad-brother-shot-dead-as-they-were-speaking-101681580294623.html |archive-date=2023-05-04 |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pal, Raju}}
[[Category:Indian politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Samajwadi Party politicians]]
[[Category:Indian politicians assassinated in the 21st century]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:Bahujan Samaj Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradesh MLAs 2002–2007]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:People from Prayagraj district]]
[[Category:Politicians from Prayagraj]]
[[Category:People murdered in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Asian politicians assassinated in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in 2005]]