MP’s brother won’t be let off, says DGP

DGP Singh said: ‘‘The police will go all the way to gather strong evidence against Ashraf. It is clear that Ashraf had used the arrested duo, Ranjit Pal and Farhan, for eliminating Raju Pal…But the statement of the co-accused cannot be used as strong evidence against Ashraf. We need more proof. Ashraf is the prime-accused in the FIR and he will not be allowed to go scot-free.’’

Yesterday, the arrested duo had confessed before the media that Ashraf was following Pal in a Santro, while they were waiting at the spot in a Tata Sumo on January 25. Ashraf had provided them the Sumo and the driver two days before the attack and updated them on Pal’s movements through his mobile phone, they said. The duo even said Ashraf had joined in the attack, after parking his car behind Pal’s vehicle.

Interestingly, before the press conference, the police had maintained that the two had killed the MLA out of personal enmity. ‘‘Ashraf has been pleading his case, saying he was not in Allahabad at the time of the murder. We are now gathering more circumstantial evidence to prove Ashraf’s involvement,’’ the DGP said, adding that they were now looking for one of the assailants in the Santro who was injured in the cross-fire.

Personal rivalry: CM

: Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday maintained that the murder accused, Ranjit Pal and Farhan, had their own scores to settle with MLA Raju Pal. His press note said: ‘‘The investigation of this case till now has not brought out any political reason behind the murder… Ashraf Ahmed and two other accused have been arrested but, till now, it is the two accused’s personal rivalry which has come out as the motive. It is unfortunate that a political colour has been given to the murder.’’