Police inspector suspended for security lapse during transfer of Atiq’s son from Naini to Jhansi jail

A major security lapse during the transfer of mafia don late Atiq Ahmad’s son, Ali Ahmad, from Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj to Jhansi Jail has led to swift departmental action.

Inspector Ashok Kumar, who was leading the security team during the transfer, has been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been launched against him on Saturday.

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The action comes after Ali Ahmad was seen making statements to the media during the transfer, a serious violation of prison and police protocols.

Authorities considered this a grave breach of security, raising concerns over the lax behavior of the police escort team. Statements of other police personnel involved in the transfer are also being recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.

While being moved on October 1, Ali spoke openly to the media and expressed fears for his life.

“Only Allah knows whether I will be safe or not. I just want to tell the Chief Minister that whatever was supposed to happen has already happened. Please protect me. Don’t let me be harassed unnecessarily,” Ali said.

Ali Ahmad, who had surrendered to the Prayagraj court on July 30, 2022, has been lodged in Naini Jail for over 38 months. This was his first public interaction with the media since his arrest.

Adding to the controversy, a video from inside Jhansi Jail emerged, showing Ali recorded on a mobile phone camera, a clear violation of jail rules.

According to prison manuals, mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside jail premises. The emergence of this video has put the jail administration under scrutiny, with questions being raised about how such a breach occurred.

Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur has demanded a high-level investigation into the entire incident, citing severe lapses in both police and prison administration.

Ali Ahmad also claimed that he had been falsely implicated.

“I was studying law in Delhi. Fake cases were filed against me and I was sent to jail. Eight more cases have been slapped on me while I’ve been inside,” he alleged.

He also complained that he was denied basic amenities, like drinking water, during the transfer.