Gangster's Killers History-Sheeters, Families Say They Were Not In Touch

All three attackers have criminal records, sources said. Their families have said they have nothing to do with them.

The Uttar Pradesh Police, facing massive flak for the sensational on-camera murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in their custody last night, has remained tight-lipped about the incident so far. Sources say the police swung into action immediately after subduing the three shooters on the spot, and are probing their background and criminal antecedents. 

The three attackers, identified by the police as Lovlesh Tewari, Sunny Singh, and Arun Maurya, posed as journalists and shot Ahmed and his brother Ashraf at point-blank range while they were speaking to reporters in Prayagraj. All three have criminal records, sources said. Their families have said they have nothing to do with them.

Lovelesh Tewari was jailed earlier as well. His father told the media that the family has nothing to do with him. Lovelesh visited home at times, and was in Banda five-six days back as well, the father said.

"He is my son. We saw the incident on TV. We are not aware of the actions of Lovelesh nor do we have anything to do with this. He never lived here and neither was he involved in our family affairs. He did not tell us anything. He came here five to six days ago. We have not been on talking terms with him for years. There is already a case registered against him. He was jailed in that case," Yagya Tiwari, Lovelesh's father, said.