Khalid Azim aka Ashraf Ahmed (1974-2023) was a politician and former MLA of the Samajwadi Party (SP) from the Allahabad (West) seat. He was named as accused of many crimes and had more than 50 criminal cases against him. Most of the charges against him were land-grabbing, kidnapping, attempt to murder, extortion, and murder. He was killed by three men on 15 April 2023 in Prayagraj.
Wiki/Biography
Khalid Azim aka Asraf aka Khalid Azeem aka Mohammad Ashraf aka Ashraf was born in 1974 (age 49 years; at the time of death) in Prayagraj (then-Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, India. He pursued graduation at the University of Allahabad, Prayagraj.
An old photo of Ashraf Ahmed
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 75 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
He was born into a poor family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name was Haji Firoz Ahmed who was a rickshaw driver. His elder brother was Atiq Ahmed, a mafia turned politician, who was killed alongside Ashraf on 15 April 2023. He had two sisters named Aaisha Noori and Unzila Noori.
Ashraf Ahmed’s brother, Atiq Ahmed
Wife & Children
His wife’s name was Zainab Fatima aka Ruby. His wife was also made an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case in March 2023. The couple had 4 children.
Ashraf Ahmed’s wife Zainab Fatima aka Ruby
A picture of Zainab Fatima
Other Relatives
His paternal sister-in-law’s (Atiq Ahmed’s wife) name was Shaista Parveen, who is also an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and is on the run as the police announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on her.
Ashraf Ahmed’s sister-in-law, Shaista Parveen
He had 5 paternal nephews whose names were Azhaan, Abaan, Ali, Umar, and Asad. Asad Ahmed was an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and was shot dead in an encounter with UP Special Task Force (STF) in Jhansi on 13 April 2023. His father-in-law’s name was Mansoor Ahmad.
Ashraf Ahmed’s nephew and Atiq Ahmed’s son, Asad Ahmed
Religion
He followed Islam.
Caste
He belonged to the Gaddi Community, an OBC caste.
Career
Politics
Ashraf was a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP). He contested the legislative by-election from the Allahabad (West) seat on the SP ticket in 2005; however, he lost to the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) candidate Raju Pal. On 25 January 2005, Raju Pal was brutally murdered in broad daylight in 2005. In the by-election after Raju’s death, Ashraf won and was elected to Uttar Pradesh Legislature Assembly. He contested UP MLA elections again in 2007; however, he lost to Raju’s widow, Pooja Pal. He contested various elections; however, failed to win any of them.
Ashraf Ahmed addressing a political rally
Controversies
Criminal Cases
Ashraf was a hardcore criminal and was illicit in various activities including land grabbing, extortion, and murder. As per the ruling given by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh of Allahabad High Court in March 2023, he had more than 51 criminal cases pending against him. Singh rejected his bail plea and said that Ashraf was a hardened criminal himself. He said,
The accused-applicant is the real brother of the dreaded criminal, gangster and Bahubali, Atiq Ahmad, who has to his credit more than 100 cases registered for committing heinous offences. The accused-applicant is not only the brother of the dreaded criminal and bahubali but he himself is a hardened criminal and gangster.”
The first case was registered against him in 1992. He was found guilty in the 2007 Umesh Pal kidnapping case.
- Case Crime No.06 of 1992, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 364, 504, 506 IPC and Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, Police Station Muttiganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.41 of 1996, under Sections 302, 201 and 218 IPC, Police Station Civil Lines, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.13 of 1996, under Section 25 Arms Act, Police Station Kotwali, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.134 of 1996, under Section 25/30 Arms Act, Police Station Unchahar, District Raebareli
- Case Crime No.41 of 1996, under Sections 302, 201 and 218 IPC, Police Station Civil Lines, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.297 of 1997, under Section 3 U.P. Goonda Act, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.27 of 2001, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 352, 386, 504, 506, 323, 365 and 120-B IPC, Section 3(1)(1)) SC/ST Act, and Section 2/3 U.P. Gangster Act, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.420 of 2002, under Sections 307 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.156 of 2002, under Section 307 IPC, Police Station Kareli, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.263 of 2002, under Sections 147, 336, 427 and 120-B IPC, Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act and Section 3 of Public Property Damage Act, Police Station Kareli/Civil Lines, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.267 of 2002, under Sections 147, 336, 427 and 120-B IPC and Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, Police Station Civil Lines, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.62 of 2002, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 395, 447, 448, 427, 120-B and 34 IPC and Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.266 of 2002, under Section 2/3 U.P. Gangster Act, Police Station Kotwali, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.264 of 2002, under Sections 147, 427 and 120-B IPC and Section 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, Police Station Civil Lines, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.223 of 2002, under Section 3 U.P. Goonda Act, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.251 of 2002, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 302, 506, 34 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.96 of 2002, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 427 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.25 of 2003, under Sections 342, 504, 506, 384, 447, 448 IPC and Section 2/3 U.P. Gangster Act, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.136 of 2003, under Sections 302 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.34 of 2003, under Sections 302, 307 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1141 of 2004, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 427 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.34 of 2005, under Sections 307, 302 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.154 of 2005, under Section 427 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.194 of 2007, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 364, 323, 504 and 506 IPC, Police Station Puramufti, District Kaushambi
- Case Crime No.356 of 2007, under Sections 447, 448, 451 and 427 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.62 of 2007, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 395, 447, 448, 506, 427, 34 and 120-B IPC and Section Criminal Law Amendment Act, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.290 of 2007, under Section 3(1) U.P. Goonda Act, Police Station Khuldabad, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.129 of 2007, under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468 IPC, Police Station Kareli, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.67 of 2007, under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.99 of 2007, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.368 of 2007, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Shahganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.270 of 2007, under Sections 364 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.419 of 2007, under Section 2/3 Gangster Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.241 of 2008, under Sections 110G Cr.P.C., Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.217 of 2011, under Section 30 Arms Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.634 of 2015, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.135 of 2016, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 307, 506 and 120-B IPC and Section 3/25 Arms Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.392 of 2016, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 506 and 120-B IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.488 of 2016, under Sections 452, 323 and 427 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1244 of 2017, under Sections 384, 342 and 506 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1396 of 2017, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1281 of 2017, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1387 of 2017, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.537 of 2017, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 341, 323, 504 and 506 IPC, Police Station Karnailganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.743 of 2017, under Section 3(2) U.P. Goonda Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.833 of 2017, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 447, 448, 341, 323, 504, 506, 34 IPC, Section & CLA Act and Section 3(2)(5) SC/ST Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1500 of 2018, under Sections 147, 504 and 506 IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.1367 of 2018, under Section 2/3 U.P. Gangster Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
- Case Crime No.610 of 2020, under Section 3/5 Arms Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Prayagraj
- Case Crime No.01 of 2020, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Prayagraj
- Case Crime No.476 of 2020, under Section 27 Arms Act, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Prayagraj
- Case Crime No.69 of 2020, under Section 174A IPC, Police Station Dhoomanganj, District Allahabad
Ashraf Ahmed coming out of a police van
Raju Pal Murder Case
In 2005, BSP MLA Raju Pal defeated Ashraf in the Uttar Pradesh Legislation by-election. Ashraf and his brother Atiq Ahmed were infuriated with their defeat, and Raju Pal was killed in Prayagraj on 25 January 2005, just 9 days after his marriage. A case was registered against them; however, they were not convicted until their murder in 2023.
Murder of another election candidate named Ashraf
It was alleged that once, another person whose name was Ashraf contested elections against him who was from a rival political party. Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf became angry with the person, and he was later murdered.
Murder of Ashok Sahoo
In 1996, Ashraf was travelling in his jeep in Civil Lines, a posh area in Prayagraj, when a person named Ashok Sahoo overtook their vehicle. Ashraf overtook Ashok’s car and threatened him. Ashok apologised to Ashraf and later to Atiq as well; however, he was murdered three days later.
2015 Double Murder Case
It was alleged that he plotted the murder of Mohammad Abid and Surjeet. His name was not included initially; however, as the police investigated the details, his name was added to the FIR and chargesheet. He filed a bail plea in Allahabad High Court which was later rejected in March 2023.
Umesh Pal Murder Case
A key witness in the Raju Pal murder case, Umesh Pal, was killed on 24 February 2023 in Prayagraj by gang members of Ashraf and Atiq’s gang, IS-227 (Inter State -227). It was alleged by the police that the planning was done by Atiq and Ashraf, and Ashraf also conducted a meeting in Bareilly jail on 11 February 2023 where 8 other people were present including Atiq’s son Asad who was later killed in an encounter on 13 April 2023. Later, it was revealed that eight police officials helped Ashraf in the prison and were also charged with supplying food and articles from outside the prison. Eight police officials were canteen supplier Daya Ram, jail guard Shiv Hari Awasthi, jailer Rajeev Kumar Mishra, deputy jailer Durgesh Pratap Singh, head warden Brijveer Singh, and wardens Manoj Gaur, Danish Mehndi and Dalpat Singh.
Car Collection
He owned a Maruti Gypsy, a Bolero, a Toyota SUV, and a luxury vehicle worth more than Rs 1 crore.
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 46,25,262
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 12,68,000
Immovable Assets
- Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 68,10,000
- Commercial/Residential Buildings: Rs. 1,46,50,000
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2007. It excludes the assets owned by his wife and dependents (minor).
Net Worth
Ashraf’s net worth for the financial year 2006-2007 was estimated to be Rs. 2.5 crores. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Evading Arrest and Capture
Ashraf was evading arrest since 2017 by changing his locations. The police had also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. A warrant was also issued against him by CBI in relation to the former BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. The police compiled information about his accomplices and raided many residences of Ashraf’s relatives and accomplices to find him. District police also submitted an application to the higher authorities to increase the reward amount to Rs 2.5 lakhs. Police received a tip that he would visit his in-law’s house in the Hatwa village under the Puramufti police station jurisdiction, Kaushambi district. Police teams comprising of different ranks raided the in-law’s house and came to know that he visited the Hatwa village on Thursday night and moved to a relative’s house on Friday morning to talk about a land deal at Shiva Market area under Dhoomanganj police station jurisdiction, Prayagraj district. He was arrested on 3 July 2020 while trying to escape by trying to jump over the back wall of the house. An illegal pistol of 0.32 bore along with six live cartridges, an SUV, Rs 8,490 cash and two EPIC, PAN card and a Driving Licence were recovered from him. Prayagraj ADG Prem Prakash spoke to the media after the arrest and said,
Acting upon a specific tip off that the absconding ex-MLA Khalid Azim alias Ashraf was to arrive his in-law’s house at at Hatwa village under the limits of Puramufti police station, the joint police team has manged to catch the ex-MLA while making an abortive attempt to escape from the relative’s back portion of the house.”
He was taken to the Naini Central Jail and was later transferred to the Bareilly Jail.
Ashraf Ahmed being escorted out of court
Death
Ashraf was killed by three men around 10: 30 pm on 15 April 2023 at the age of 49 when he was being taken for a medical checkup to MLN Medical College in Prayagraj. His brother Atiq Ahmed was also killed with him. He was speaking to media persons while going inside the hospital when three men posing as media persons fired at him from a close range and killed him on the spot. It was claimed that around 36 rounds were fired, and more than 10 bullet shells were found on the spot. Three men surrendered after killing them and reportedly chanted Jai Sri Ram as well. Following his death, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an emergency meeting, and section 144 was also imposed on the state. Three killers were later identified as Sunny, Lavlesh Tiwari, and Arun Maurya. It was revealed that Sunny belonged to Hamirpur district, Lovelesh Tiwari belonged to Kotwali in Banda, and Arun Maurya belonged to the village Baghela Pukhta under Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj. Arun Maurya aka Kalia’s parents died when he was a child, and he left the village 15 years ago and never returned. Sunny was a history-sheeter with 17 cases against him and dropped out in the first year of BA from Lucknow University. Lavlesh Tiwari was a member of Bajrang Dal. During the initial interrogation, they revealed that they wanted to become famous by killing the mafia brothers and underestimated the number of police officials present at the location.
Ashraf Ahmed (left) with his brother Atiq Ahmed going for a medical check, a few seconds before both were murdered
Facts/Trivia
- Ashraf had said two weeks before his death on 15 April 2023 that a police officer threatened him that he would be released and executed in two weeks. He said that if he was killed in two weeks, a letter would reach the office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- He once said while talking to the media that Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath understood his pain as Yogi was also implicated in many fake cases.
- His in-law’s house in Hatwa village of Prayagraj was demolished by PDA officials in 2021 during the drive against mafia and gangsters.
- In February 2023, he submitted a plea in the court to stay his transfer out of prison as he feared he would be killed on his way to the court.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education