How Atique Gang Shooter Wanted in Umesh Pal Murder Case Was Tracked Down by Police

Mohammad Arman alias Arman Bihari, a key accused wanted in the high-profile Umesh Pal murder case and a close associate of the Atique Ahmed gang, is now in the custody of the Prayagraj police. Wanted for over three years, Arman was tracked down not in some remote hideout, but inside the Gaya Central Jail in Bihar where he was lodged in connection with an entirely different criminal case.

From Small-Time Vendor to Atique's Inner Circle

A native of Gaya in Bihar, Arman had arrived in Prayagraj in 2012 where he initially ran a small kebab-paratha shop in the Cantonment area. According to police, it was during this time that he crossed paths with notorious criminal Gud्डू Muslim, who was then supplying chicken wholesale. Their association grew closer, prompting Arman to hand over his shop to his younger brother and join Guddu Muslim full-time.

Soon, Arman expanded his network to include other close confidants of gangster-politician Atique Ahmed, such as Nafis Biryani and Sabir. Police investigations reveal that Arman frequently visited Atique's jailed brother Ashraf and even accompanied close aides during visits to Sabarmati and Bareilly jails. His active involvement during political campaigns further cemented his position within the syndicate.

The Umesh Pal Murder Connection

On February 24, 2023, lawyer Umesh Pal and his two police bodyguards were shot dead in broad daylight in Prayagraj. CCTV footage from the crime scene captured the chilling sequence of events. Police allege that Arman was driving the motorcycle while Guddu Muslim sat on the pillion, executing the attack before fleeing the scene.

Following the murder, Arman fled to Bihar, where he later surrendered in a separate attempt-to-murder case and remained lodged in the Gaya Central Jail for over three years. When Prayagraj police finally traced his whereabouts, they initiated legal procedures to secure his custody for interrogation.

Bridging the Gaps in the Investigation

With several key conspirators either killed in police encounters or remaining elusive like Guddu Muslim and Sabir, Arman's interrogation holds immense value for investigators. Law enforcement agencies hope that his custody will help piece together the missing links of the conspiracy and unearth details about the ongoing hideouts and active networks supporting the remaining fugitives.