Calf, brick or speed? Conflicting accounts emerge after Atiq Ahmed’s son dies in car crash | Lucknow News
JHANSI: The circumstances leading to the fatal crash that killed Abaan Ahmed, the youngest son of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, remain unclear, with an eyewitness, an injured survivor and police offering different accounts of what happened moments before the SUV hit a road divider in Jhansi on Thursday.Abaan, 21, and his friend Sonu were killed in the crash near Poonch on the Kanpur-Jhansi road around 10.30am. Three other occupants of the Hyundai Creta were injured and taken to Jhansi Medical College for treatment.Eyewitness Deepak Yadav, who was among the first people to reach the crash site, claimed a calf suddenly appeared on the highway, prompting the driver to swerve to avoid hitting it.He said the vehicle then encountered a motorcycle, forcing another abrupt manoeuvre before it crashed into the divider.However, injured survivor Umar Ahmed told media that the SUV became uncontrollable after hitting a brick lying on the highway.Police, meanwhile, said a preliminary inquiry suggested that the vehicle was being driven at high speed. They also said the road was wet following light rain and that excessive speed may have contributed to the accident.
Eyewitness’ account
Yadav said the SUV appeared to be travelling at more than 120 kmph before the crash. The impact left the vehicle badly mangled, with its occupants trapped inside.Unable to open the jammed doors, Yadav said he called police and fetched an iron rod from a nearby house to help pry the vehicle open.He said the first occupant he rescued identified himself as Abaan and pleaded, “Save me,” before losing consciousness.Police reached the spot soon after and helped rescue the remaining occupants.
Two killed, three injured
According to police, Abaan was travelling with four friends from Prayagraj towards Jhansi to meet his elder brother Ali Ahmed, who is lodged in Jhansi Jail. Abaan was seated in the front passenger seat, while Mohammad Zaid was driving.Abaan and Sonu succumbed to their injuries at the scene.The three injured occupants, i.e., Mohammad Zaid, Umar Ahmed and Aslam, were taken to Jhansi Medical College. Police said their condition is stable.Jhansi SSP BBGTS Murthy said police received information around 10.30am that an SUV had crashed into a road divider after the driver lost control.A forensic team has examined the scene, while statements from the injured survivors and eyewitnesses are being recorded as part of the investigation.Abaan’s body was sent to Jhansi Medical College for a post-mortem examination. After the autopsy, it will be handed over to his family.
Atiq’s family
Abaan was the youngest of Atiq Ahmed’s five sons and the twin brother of Ahjam. His elder brother Asad Ahmed was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force near Jhansi in April 2023.Another brother, Ali Ahmed, is lodged in Jhansi Jail, while Umar Ahmed is imprisoned in Lucknow.Their mother, Shaista Parveen, who has been absconding since 2023 in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case, remains wanted by police.
