Samajwadi Party leader and Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi on 9 August raised pointed questions over the death of Aban Ahmed, son of the late Atiq Ahmed, asserting that the circumstances of the incident — which occurred while Aban Ahmed was reportedly in police custody — do not inspire confidence that justice is being served.

Key Concerns Raised

Azmi stated that a death occurring while a person is in police custody inherently raises legitimate doubts about the official account of events. He stressed that only a transparent and impartial investigation can establish the full truth and restore public faith in the system. 'The circumstances in which the incident occurred while the person was under police custody do not give a sense of confidence that justice is being delivered,' he said.

When asked whether other members of the family face any threat, Azmi replied that he could not say with certainty, adding that there should ideally be no threat to them. On who could be responsible, he posed a pointed rhetorical question: 'He was killed while in police custody; who could be behind it?'

Allegations Against the Administration

Targeting the state administration, Azmi alleged that the government appears intent on sending a strong message that it holds ultimate authority and will not tolerate any form of intimidation from any quarter. He noted that some reports have described the incident as a road accident, making an independent probe by a premier central investigating agency all the more necessary so that all facts can be placed in the public domain.

Call for Central Agency Probe

Azmi underlined that maintaining public trust in law and order is of paramount importance. An independent investigation by a credible central agency, he argued, would help clear doubts, ensure accountability, and uphold the principle that no one is above the law. He reiterated that the truth could emerge only when the probe is entirely free from political or administrative influence.

Background and Broader Context

Aban Ahmed was the son of Atiq Ahmed, the former politician and convicted criminal who was himself shot dead in Prayagraj in April 2023 while in police custody. The death of Aban Ahmed has thus reignited scrutiny over custody-related incidents involving the family. This is not the first time opposition leaders have flagged concerns about the circumstances surrounding the Ahmed family; critics argue that a pattern of such incidents demands systematic accountability. The calls for a central agency investigation reflect broader anxieties about the integrity of state-level law enforcement in high-profile cases.

With opposition pressure mounting, all eyes are now on whether the government will order an independent inquiry or allow the existing investigation to proceed unchallenged.