Udham Singh
Meerut : Claiming that he abandoned crime nearly seven years ago and now wishes to lead a peaceful life, Udham Singh Karnawal, alleged leader of notorious D-50 gang of western UP, has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu, expressing fears of being implicated in false cases and killed in a staged police encounter. Singh said he had spent nearly 15 years in jail before securing acquittals and now wanted to focus on farming his ancestral land. I have an 82-year-old widowed mother, a wife who has undergone heart surgery and an unmarried daughter to look after. The FIR registered on Nov 2, however, contains a different account. Registered at Sadar Bazar police station under BNS sections 308(5) (extortion threatening death or grievous hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 109(1) (attempt to murder), it names Singh, another person, referred to as Inamullah and two unidentified men. Meerut zone additional director general of police Bhanu Bhasker said, “A businessman has made a serious complaint against a criminal with a long history of crime and against whom around 70 cases have been registered in the past.
In a letter sent to the President on Friday, Karnawal, who has faced 71 criminal cases and was acquitted in 53 due to lack of evidence or hostile witnesses, alleged that his rivals were colluding with police to target him. Singh also released a video addressed to senior police officials, demanding an impartial probe by an independent agency such as Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID).
He also expressed fear that some police officers could attempt a “fake encounter” to gain promotions or recognition. “If there is any genuine allegation against me, let it be investigated impartially,” he wrote. The appeal came days after he was named in an FIR following a complaint by a Meerut-based businessman who accused him of threatening him. How can I threaten any businessman? Now that Allahabad high court has ordered the police not to arrest me, new cases are being slapped against me. I want peace. Even Naxals are given a chance to return to the mainstream. Why not me? We cannot take the threat lightly. Police are duty-bound to investigate the allegations thoroughly. Karnawal has also secured interim protection from arrest in a separate case registered at Sarurpur police station. Allahabad HC admitted his petition and stayed his arrest until further orders expected in March.