The fortnight saw two high-profile cases where three people were killed, which has led to people questioning the Yogi narrative of him being the tough, straight-shooting marshal who cleaned up a bad town, so to speak.
In the first case, 46-year-old Pramila Dixit and her daughter Neha, 22, were killed during an anti-encroachment "bulldozer action" on February 13. In the second, Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal, was shot dead outside his house in Prayagraj on February 24. Two of the five UP policemen in his security detail were also killed. Later, Arbaaz, the alleged driver for the assailants, was killed in a police encounter. Jailed don-turnedneta Atiq Ahmed and his associates are the prime suspects in the case. The UP Police have filed an FIR against Atiq, his wife Shaista Praveen, his brother Khalid Azim, two of his sons, and several others.
The Prayagraj Development Authority also brought out the bulldozers, demolishing the property of local journalist Zafar Ahmed, who they initially claimed was Atiq's relative. Shaista and two of her minor sons were living here on rent after Atiq's own residence was demolished in September 2020.
Officials also goofed up badly on basic protocol by taking the minor sons into custody, and it was only after Shaista went to court that they admitted to it.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Queer Quartet
National Award-winning filmmaker Onir has taken several creative leaps with his queer romance, We Are Faheem & Karun
Changing the Narrative
In an ambitious new touring exhibition across India, veteran photographer Dayanita Singh pushes the boundaries of how we experience images
INDIA'S SPAM WAR
AS UNSOLICITED CALLS AND MESSAGES INUNDATE CELLPHONES, NEW TECH SOLUTIONS AND REGULATIONS AIM TO COUNTER THIS INVASIVE DIGITAL EPIDEMIC. BUT IT'S STILL A LONG HAUL
LALU'S OLIVE BRANCH GAMBIT
Winter may be intensifying in Bihar but the state's political climate is anything but cool.
IN THE PRODUCER'S SEAT
Actor Richa Chadha on being a first-time producer with Girls Will Be Girls, which released recently on Prime Video, and being a new mother
SPRING IN THEIR SETS
The upcoming Spring 2025 Season of the Symphony Orchestra of India at NCPA, Mumbai-headlined by Maestro Zubin Mehta and Sir Mark Elder-promises a host of international performers
SAFFRON'S CROSS CONNECTION
THE BJP REALISES THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IS CRUCIAL FOR THE PARTY TO MAKE A BREAKTHROUGH IN KERALA. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ALSO AWARE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT
BURNING RESISTANCE
The 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the abandoned Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, awaiting disposal for four decades, has hit a roadblock.
VIRAL FEAR RISES ANEW
The fear is not an irrational one-it's just the other day that the spectre of Covid-19 was harassing the whole world. So as China reports a spike in respiratory illnesses, the memories of planetary disruption have come rushing back.
A PLUM PART
Tahir Raj Bhasin loved getting under the skin of Vikrant, the character he plays in Netflix's Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, whose second season is out now
