{{Short description|Indian politician (1985–2005)}} {{more citations needed|date=April 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Raju Pal | office = Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly | constituency = Prayagraj West | predecessor = Atiq Ahmed | successor = Khalid Azim | spouse = Puja Pal | birth_date = {{birth date|1975|6|18|df=yes}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2005|1|25|1975|6|18|df=yes}} | death_cause = Killed by gunshot | state = | party = Bahujan Samaj Party | term = 2004–2005 | occupation = Politician }}
'''Raju Pal''' (18 June 1975{{snd}}25 January 2005) was a Bahujan Samaj Party politician in India. In 2004, gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed resigned from Prayagraj West Assembly constituency after being elected to the Lok Sabha.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/16/stories/2007051601961500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116151152/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/16/stories/2007051601961500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2007-11-16 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Let CBI probe Raju Pal murder: new government | date=2007-05-16}}</ref> Raju Pal won the subsequent by-election in November 2004, defeating Atiq's younger brother Mohammad Ashraf aka Khalid Azim.
In January 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead while going to his village on the occasion of Republic day by Atiq Ahmed's goons for defeating his brother Ashraf.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atiq Ahmed shot dead: Who was Raju Pal, MLA whose murder made Atiq Ahmed most wanted criminal? |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-atiq-ahmed-shot-dead-who-was-raju-pal-whose-2005-murder-led-to-umesh-pal-s-killing-know-all-about-the-case-3036657 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419064529/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-atiq-ahmed-shot-dead-who-was-raju-pal-whose-2005-murder-led-to-umesh-pal-s-killing-know-all-about-the-case-3036657 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> Thereafter, Ashraf won the seat by defeating Pal's wife Pooja Pal.<ref> {{cite news | title = Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls : Gangsters join race for UP Assembly | website = Sify | url = http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14413910 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224752/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14413910 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2007-09-27 | date = April 2007 | accessdate = 2007-05-12 }}</ref> Ashraf was the prime accused in the murder. Mohammad Ashraf's brother Atiq had also been charged with complicity in the murder.<ref>{{cite news | title = All with 'shades' least are 'white' | author = Arun Chaubey | publisher = Zee News | url = http://www.zeenews.com/uppoll/fullstory.asp?sid=upe&aid=365058 | date = May 2007 | accessdate = 2007-05-13 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514040154/http://www.zeenews.com/uppoll/fullstory.asp?sid=upe&aid=365058 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-05-14}}</ref> While Atiq was in jail with 21 criminal cases pending against him, the then Mayawati government faced criticism for its failure to arrest Ashraf.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijay Pratap |date=16 July 2009 |title=Raju Pal murder: STF to help arrest Ashraf |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com:80/news/raju-pal-murder-stf-to-help-arrest-ashraf/490114 |accessdate=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121131404/http://archive.indianexpress.com:80/news/raju-pal-murder-stf-to-help-arrest-ashraf/490114 |archive-date=2017-01-21}}</ref>
== Political career == Raju Pal was known for his involvement in muscle power politics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-24 |title=Canker of criminalization |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/article30203701.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027214825/https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/article30203701.ece |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shekhar |date=2023-04-16 |title='Murderer at 17, brutal mafioso' with stint in Parliament: Atiq Ahmed, a story of crime & heartland politics |url=https://theprint.in/india/murderer-at-17-brutal-mafioso-with-stint-in-parliament-atiq-ahmed-a-story-of-crime-heartland-politics/1522725/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430154752/https://theprint.in/india/murderer-at-17-brutal-mafioso-with-stint-in-parliament-atiq-ahmed-a-story-of-crime-heartland-politics/1522725/ |archive-date=2023-04-30 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 2004 general election, he contested and won by a margin of 4,000 votes.<ref name=":7" /> Pal had contested from the Prayagraj West Assembly seat that had become vacant after Atiq was elected as MP from Phulpur on Samajwadi Party ticket.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2016 |title=पंक्चर बनाने वाले की बेटी हैं MLA पूजा पाल, 9 दिन में हो गई थीं विधवा |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-ALAH-bsp-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-story-of-wife-pooja-pal-5229838-PHO.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127163239/http://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-ALAH-bsp-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-story-of-wife-pooja-pal-5229838-PHO.html |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=Bhaskar |language=Hindi}}</ref> In the by-election held for this seat, Pal was fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party and defeated Atiq's younger brother, Ashraf.<ref name=":3" /> Pal had faced multiple attempts on his life during his political career. In November and December of the same year, there were two failed attempts to assassinate him, these involved the use of guns and improvised explosives.<ref name=":1" /> During one of these attempts, he was severely injured and had to be hospitalized.<ref name=":6" /> Despite these incidents, no preventive measures were taken by party leaders or the government. Pal was shot dead in broad daylight on 25 January 2005, a few months after becoming an MLA for the first time.<ref name=":1" />
== Assassination == On 25 January 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead in broad daylight, leading to his first-time seat of MLA becoming empty once again. His assassination attracted criticism for the handling of the situation by the government.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim (alias Ashraf) were the main accused in his assassination.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Santosh Kumar |date=2024-03-29 |title=Special court convicts 7 in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/raju-pal-murder-case-seven-convicted-by-special-cbi-court-lucknow-atiq-ahmed-2520727-2024-03-29 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
== Aftermath == Following Raju Pal's death, Mayawati announced that she would give the party ticket to his widow to contest the by-poll for the vacant seat.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-02-03 |title=Mayawati seeks CBI inquiry into Pal murder case |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mayawati-seeks-cbi-inquiry-into-pal-murder-case/articleshow/1009800.cms |access-date=2023-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505144116/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mayawati-seeks-cbi-inquiry-into-pal-murder-case/articleshow/1009800.cms |archive-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> His widow Puja Pal then contested the seat against Ashraf Ahmed but lost.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=Atiq Ahmed Murder: The 18-year-old curse that destroyed dreaded UP mafia don |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/atiq-ahmed-murder-the-18-year-old-curse-that-destroyed-dreaded-up-mafia-don-12462712.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429071807/https://www.firstpost.com/india/atiq-ahmed-murder-the-18-year-old-curse-that-destroyed-dreaded-up-mafia-don-12462712.html |archive-date=2023-04-29 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> She would later defeat him in the 2007 assembly elections and also retain the seat in the 2012 assembly election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-29 |title=Ex-MLA Puja Pal to contest from Unnao seat on SP ticket |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/ex-mla-puja-pal-to-contest-from-unnao-seat-on-sp-ticket/articleshow/68624946.cms |access-date=2023-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429071807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/uttar-pradesh/news/ex-mla-puja-pal-to-contest-from-unnao-seat-on-sp-ticket/articleshow/68624946.cms |archive-date=2023-04-29 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-31 |title=Allahabad High Court cancels Atiq Ahmed's bail in Raju Pal murder case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/allahabad-high-court-cancels-atiq-ahmeds-bail-in-raju-pal-murder-case/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430230107/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/allahabad-high-court-cancels-atiq-ahmeds-bail-in-raju-pal-murder-case/ |archive-date=2023-04-30 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> On 7 May 2021, one of the main accused in the case, Mohd. Akbar, a history sheeter, died of COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2021 |title=MLA राजू पाल हत्याकांड के आरोपी की कोरोना से मौत:अतीक अहमद का करीबी था मो. अकबर, कई जिलों में 20 से ज्यादा मुकदमें दर्ज थे |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/news/friend-of-don-atiq-ahmed-died-in-uttar-pradesh-akbar-was-accused-in-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-along-with-atiq-ahmed-128472188.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174005/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/news/friend-of-don-atiq-ahmed-died-in-uttar-pradesh-akbar-was-accused-in-mla-raju-pal-murder-case-along-with-atiq-ahmed-128472188.html |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2021 |website=Bhaskar |language=Hindi}}</ref> On 24 February 2023, Umesh Pal, a prime witness in the murder of Raju Pal was killed. Atiq Ahmed was the main accused in Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder case.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Umesh Pal murder: Atiq Ahmed to be shifted from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail to Prayagraj in 36 hours |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/umesh-pal-murder-cops-to-bring-atiq-ahmed-from-sabarmati-jail-to-prayagraj-via-jhansi-in-25-hours-sources-2351616-2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327112220/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/umesh-pal-murder-cops-to-bring-atiq-ahmed-from-sabarmati-jail-to-prayagraj-via-jhansi-in-25-hours-sources-2351616-2023-03-26 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Salaria |first=Shikha |date=2023-03-26 |title=Atiq Ahmed to be shifted to Prayagraj for 2007 abduction case verdict, UP cops reach Gujarat jail |url=https://theprint.in/?p=1473658 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402121905/https://theprint.in/india/atiq-ahmed-to-be-shifted-to-prayagraj-for-2007-abduction-case-verdict-up-cops-reach-gujarat-jail/1473658/ |archive-date=2023-04-02 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-03-14 |title=Umesh Pal murder {{!}} U.P. Police doubles reward to ₹5 lakh for information on five accused |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/umesh-pal-murder-up-police-doubles-reward-to-5-lakh-for-information-on-five-accused/article66617488.ece |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327112220/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/umesh-pal-murder-up-police-doubles-reward-to-5-lakh-for-information-on-five-accused/article66617488.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> On 13 April 2023, Atiq's son Asad was killed in a police encounter.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yugantarpravah.com/news/atiq-ahamad-son-encounter-mafia-atiq-son-asad-was-killed-in-a-police-encounter-987931-13-04-2023|title=Atiq Ahmed Son Encounter: Mafia Atiq's son Asad was killed in a police encounter|website=Yugantar Pravah|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413151941/https://www.yugantarpravah.com/news/atiq-ahamad-son-encounter-mafia-atiq-son-asad-was-killed-in-a-police-encounter-987931-13-04-2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/asad-ahmed-police-encounter-atiq-ahmed-umesh-pal-8554651/|title=Atiq Ahmed's son Asad killed in police encounter: How Ahmed's family is implicated in the Raju Pal and Umesh Pal murder cases|website=Indian Express|date=13 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=13 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413180015/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/asad-ahmed-police-encounter-atiq-ahmed-umesh-pal-8554651/}}</ref> On 15 April 2023, Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were shot dead while being escorted for a court-mandated medical checkup.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=Atiq Ahmad, his brother Ashraf shot dead in Prayagraj, 3 attackers arrested |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gangsterturnedpolitician-atiq-ahmad-his-brother-ashraf-shot-dead-101681578709934.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522215814/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gangsterturnedpolitician-atiq-ahmad-his-brother-ashraf-shot-dead-101681578709934.html |archive-date=2023-05-22 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HTq">{{Cite web |date=15 April 2023 |title='Main baat Guddu Muslim...': Atiq Ahmad, brother shot dead as they were speaking |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/main-baat-guddu-muslim-atiq-ahmad-brother-shot-dead-as-they-were-speaking-101681580294623.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504203418/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/main-baat-guddu-muslim-atiq-ahmad-brother-shot-dead-as-they-were-speaking-101681580294623.html |archive-date=2023-05-04 |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pal, Raju}} Category:Indian politicians convicted of crimes Category:Samajwadi Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh Category:Indian politicians assassinated in the 21st century Category:2005 deaths Category:Bahujan Samaj Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh Category:Uttar Pradesh MLAs 2002–2007 Category:People from Prayagraj district Category:Politicians from Prayagraj Category:People murdered in Uttar Pradesh Category:Asian politicians assassinated in the 2000s Category:Politicians assassinated in 2005 Category:1985 births