Atiq Ahmed’s lawyer Vijay Mishra, who was arrested by the Prayagraj Police in Lucknow on Sunday, has revealed information about the gangster’s benami properties and Umesh Pal murder case. Mishra was allegedly involved in the killing of Umesh Pal, a witness in the murder case of BSP leader Raju Pal, and he was also dealing with benami properties of Atiq Ahmed. Police officials said that during interrogation, Mishra provided important information about Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen, his sister-in-law Zainab Fatima and other accused in the Umesh Pal murder case.
DCP Deepak Bhukar said Vijay Mishra was arrested and sent to jail on other charges including his involvement in the conspiracy of Umesh Pal's murder and helping the accused. He stated that evidence is being collected on the basis of the information received from him during his police interrogation.
Vijay Mishra was caught by the police outside Hotel Hyatt Legacy in Lucknow after he met Atiq's son Umar in jail and a woman from Atiq's family and a BJP leader. He was brought to Prayagraj and interrogated overnight and was produced in court on Sunday afternoon following which he was sent to Naini Central Jail in judicial custody.
Umesh Pal and his two official gunners were shot and killed in Jayantipur Sulem Sarai on 24 February. Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad, shooter Ghulam, Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman, Arbaaz, accused of this murder case were killed in a police encounter. Shaista Parveen, Zainab Fatima, Ayesha Noori and three shooters are still wanted by Uttar Pradesh police.
Santosh Mishra's son Advocate Vijay Mishra has nine cases registered against him including charges under the gangster act. A few months ago, a furniture trader, a resident of Dariyabad had filed a case against him for demanding extortion of Rs 3 crore.