Prayagraj: Legal troubles have escalated for Mohammad Umar, son of jailed gangster Atiq Ahmed, after his convoy allegedly bypassed toll taxes and broke through a barrier at a toll plaza in Prayagraj. The incident, which took place at the Nawabgang toll plaza, has prompted the facility management to take strict legal action. Jayaprakash Yadav, the assistant manager of the toll plaza, has officially lodged a formal complaint at the Nawabgang police station, leading to the registration of a case involving 25 vehicles.
Convoy Breaches Toll Booth Barrier
The incident unfolded on August 8 along National Highway 19 at the Nawabgang toll plaza. Computer operator Ajit and helper Anshuman Shukla were on duty at toll booth number three when the convoy passed through. At approximately 3:50 PM, Umar Ahmed, son of Atiq Ahmed, was being transported under police escort from Lucknow jail in police custody.
Several vehicles followed directly behind the official police escort. Among them were a white Mahindra XUV bearing registration number UP 32NJ 1458 and a black Creta with registration number UP 70 HP 8416, alongside 25 to 30 other vehicles trailing behind. Instead of stopping to pay the required toll, these vehicles sped through, deliberately smashing the boom barrier. When toll personnel attempted to intervene and halt the vehicles, the occupants inside hurled abuses and issued threats to the staff.
Staff Threatened and FIR Registered
The situation escalated further when individuals inside the vehicles reportedly attempted to drive over the toll workers, forcing the staff to scramble backward to escape unhurt. The assistant manager provided the registration numbers of dozens of vehicles that evaded the toll payment in his written complaint to law enforcement. The police report notes that the reckless driving damaged public property barriers and caused a direct loss of state revenue. Local authorities have initiated a comprehensive probe based on the vehicle numbers listed in the FIR.
Family Context and Recent Tragedy
This development occurs against the backdrop of a recent family tragedy involving Atiq Ahmed's household. Aban Ahmed, the youngest son of Atiq Ahmed, recently lost his life in a severe road accident while driving to visit an imprisoned relative. His speeding car lost control and collided with a road divider on the Jhansi-Kanpur highway.
Following the tragedy, the Allahabad High Court granted parole to Aban's elder brothers, Ali and Umar, allowing them to attend his funeral rites. The convoy involved in the toll plaza incident was moving in connection with these movements, bringing renewed attention and legal scrutiny to the family's security escorts.
