Foreign Affairs

India

Former parliamentarian killed with his brother during an interview: the bombers pretended to be journalists

Dozens of cases, including kidnapping, murder and extortion, had been charged to Atiq Ahmed: the former Indian politician killed on live television while being escorted by policemen

17/04/2023

Reuters

A former Indian politician, sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping, murder and extortion, was killed on live television along with his brother. Atiq Ahmed, who was under police escort, was speaking to reporters in Allahabad when a gun was pointed at his head. The three attackers, who had accredited themselves as journalists, surrendered immediately. Ahmed, over the past 20 years, had been guilty of dozens of cases including kidnapping, murder and extortion. A local court sentenced him to life imprisonment for kidnapping last month.

The video shows Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, both in handcuffs, talking to reporters about to reach a medical check-up. Then the shots. In the footage, Ahmed is asked if he attended the funeral of his recently killed son. His last words to the camera were: "We didn't go."