Prayagraj: At least three crude bombs were hurled in the Purana Katra area of Prayagraj Tuesday afternoon, in the lane where one of the lawyers of slain gangster Atiq Ahmed stays.
The lawyer Dayashankar Mishra told the media that this was an attempt to “terrorise him so that he could not plead the case”. He told ThePrint the bombs were thrown by a youngster outside the gate of his house in Gobar Wali Gali around 2:30 pm.
The Prayagraj police, however, said the bombing was a part of a fight between local residents Harshit Sonkar, Akash Singh Chhotu and Raunak.
Mishra, representing Atiq and his brother Afroze – who were killed in custody Saturday night – asked why the accused had burst bombs outside his house if they were fighting among themselves.
“The police is trying to divert attention. Raunak and Akash stay much farther. The bombs were hurled outside my gate,” he said.
Mishra’s son Chandrakesh Mishra told ThePrint that he and his father were in the High Court when the arson took place.
He said: “My younger sister was at home when the incident happened. She said two boys bombed the lane where we stay. A forensic team has arrived and recovered some two dozen splinters from the spot. These are septic and can cause death.”
Dayashankar Mishra told the media that several splinters of bombs have been taken away by the forensic team.
“I was representing Atiq and Ashraf. I don’t want to say anything wrong about anyone but I suspect that this act has been done to terrorise me so that I cannot plead strongly (in the case). My daughters-in-law and my daughter were at my home when the incident happened,” he said.
The Prayagraj police later said in a statement: “Information was received that bombs have been hurled in the Gober Wali Gali in Colonelganj police station area. After investigation, it has been found that the incident is a result of a dispute between two groups.”
The statement further said that it was wrong to think the attack was on Atiq Ahmed’s lawyer.
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