The Odisha police have confirmed that a team of Uttar Pradesh (UP) police’s Special Task Force (STF) recently visited the state in connection with the hunt for Guddu Muslim, an absconding aide of slain gangster Atiq Ahmed.
Guddu Muslim, a professional shooter, is wanted for killing gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf. The UP STF questioned a man in Bhubaneswar, and the Odisha police provided assistance in accordance with protocol.
The team also grilled a person in Bargarh town in Odisha’s Bargarh district. This is where Guddu’s driver stayed after the Prayagraj incident. The UP STF sought assistance from local police in the area, and the team verified but did not arrest.
Ashraf’s last words before his death were, “Main baat yeh hai ki Guddu Muslim (the main thing is Guddu Muslim).” Guddu Muslim is also among the 10 accused named in the high-profile Umesh Pal murder case in UP, six of whom have already been killed. The UP police have launched a manhunt to catch the remaining four, including Guddu Muslim.
Media reports suggested Guddu Muslims had visited the holy town of Puri after Atiq and Ashraf’s killings in Prayagraj. However, Puri SP VK Singh has dismissed these reports, stating that they have no information about Guddu Muslims’ visit to Puri.
It is pertinent to note that the police have not arrested anyone in connection with the case in Odisha. They are continuing their investigation in coordination with the UP police.