Lucknow, Sep 28: Abdul Samad alias Saddam, a wanted criminal and an active member of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad gang, was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh police from Malviya Nagar area of New Delhi, an official spokesman said here on Thursday.
The spokesman said that Saddam, who carried a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest, was arrested from DDA flats opposite Select City Walk Mall in Malviya Nagar in New Delhi around 2 am.
“He has been arrested in connection with a case lodged at Bithri Chainpur police station in Bareilly under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Prevention of Corruption Act and Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act,” he said.
It may be noted that Saddam is brother-in-law of Atiq’s brother and former MLA Khalid Azim alias Ashraf. Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead by three shooters in Prayagraj district on the night on April 15 while being taken for medical examination during police remand in connection with murder of advocate Umesh Pal and his two security personnel.
The spokesman said that information about the absconding active member of Atiq gang Abdul Samad alias Saddam, a resident of Pura Mufti in Prayagraj district who was residing in a rented house in Khushboo Enclave under Baradari police station in Bareilly, was being received by the STF for the last few days.
“During intelligence gathering information about Saddam living in a hideout in New Delhi was received after which he was arrested,” he said.
The spokesman said that after being arrested by the STF, Saddam revealed that in a bid to evade arrest, he was shifting his base to different locations in Delhi, Karnataka and Mumbai. “The arrested criminal revealed that he came to Delhi to meet his paramour.”
He said that when questioned, Saddam revealed that he was living in a rented house in Khushbu Enclave as his brother-in-law Ashraf was lodged in Bareilly jail. “Saddam not only supplied essentials to Ashraf inside the jail in connivance with the prison staff, but was also involved in sale and purchase of land on his behalf,” he said.
He said that Saddam was responsible for handling money given by the friends of his brother-in-law Ashraf. “He along with Lalla Gaddi, Nazish, Syed Saheb and Furkan used to earn money by interfering in the disputed lands in Bareilly.”
The spokesman said that the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Bareilly zone had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on the arrest of Saddam. “Saddam has been brought to Bareilly and further legal action is being taken by Bithri Chainpur police,” he said.
