Prayagraj, Mar 28 : A shooter of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad’s gang was arrested by the police from the Chakia area of Prayagraj district here in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said on Thursday.

Police sources said that Shyam Pal, a resident of Nayapur under the Kareli area, lodged a complaint at Khuldabad police station that on Wednesday evening, two persons held him at gunpoint. “Shyam Pal said that one of the criminals identified himself as Balli Pandit and demanded Rs 2 lakh and extortion money,” they said.

Police sources said that on Shyam Pal’s complaint, the police cordoned off the area and arrested Balli Pandit late on Wednesday night.

“The police recovered ten crude bombs from the possession of Balli Pandit. He is a history sheeter, having 15 cases against him,” they said.

It may be noted that Balli used to granb land and collect extortion money at the behest of Atiq, while being lodged in Sabarmati jail.

“His name surfaced after advocate Umesh Pal murder case when his video photo with Atiq’s wife Shahista Parveen went viral,” they said.

UNI