SC to hear plea to probe killing of Atiq, Ashraf

One-liner: The SC is scheduled to hear on July 3 a plea seeking an independent probe into the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

Shot dead in police custody: Both were shot dead in police custody by 3 men posing as journalists in Prayagraj in April.

183 police encounters: According to the July 3 cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench will hear the petition filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, who has also sought an inquiry into the 183 police encounters that have taken place in UP since 2017.

UP govt questioned: While hearing the matter on April 28, the top court had questioned the UP govt why Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf, a former MLA, were paraded before media while being taken to a hospital for a medical checkup in police custody. 

• The two were shot at point blank range and died instantaneously as the three assailants rained bullets

How killers got info:  It had also asked the UP govt how the killers got the knowledge about the two being taken to hospital.

3-member panel:  The counsel appearing for UP had told the top court the state govt has constituted a three-member commission of inquiry to probe the incident that was shown live on national television. 

• A special investigation team (SIT) of UP police is also investigating the case, the counsel had said

Status report sought: The top court had directed the state govt to submit a status report on the incident and its aftermath.