Atiq Ahmed's Journey: 1st Murder Case At 18, Stint As MP, Killed On Camera

He rose to prominence in the 90s and early 2000s, when Uttar Pradesh experienced political instability and multiple rounds of President's rule.

Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed's killing is perhaps Uttar Pradesh's most shocking incident in years given the clout he enjoyed, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh, even from prison. Ahmed had over 70 criminal cases registered against him, including murder and kidnapping. He was recently sentenced to life imprisonment in a kidnapping case. Ahmed was also a five-term MLA and a former Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha MP.

62-year-old Atiq Ahmed's first criminal case was 44 years ago, in 1979, when he was accused of murder. He rose to prominence in the 90s and early 2000s, when Uttar Pradesh experienced political instability and multiple rounds of President's rule.

Reports say Atiq became the boss of an extortion and land-grabbing syndicate in Prayagraj, then Allahabad, and in other parts of eastern UP.

This was also the time Atiq entered politics.