UP Police in hot pursuit of Atique Ahmed's widow

The UP Police has raised the reward for information on Shaista Parveen, the widow of Atique Ahmed, and Afshan Ansari, wife of Mukhtar Ansari. It also conducted searches on Thursday to nab the absconding women.

Parveen has been named conspirator in the Umesh Pal murder. Police alleged that during questioning of Atique and Ashraf - before they were killed on live TV by three assailants as a posse of cops watched - Atique told them that when Parveen visited him at the Sabarmati Central Jail he asked her for 'new SIM cards and mobile phones so that they could plan Umesh Pal's murder.' Police alleged that Atique also tasked her with 'coordination between Umesh Pal's assailants and arranging murder weapons and their disposal.' Parveen has been absconding since March and carries a reward of ₹50,000 for anyone who provides information that could lead to her arrest.

Police on Thursday searched possible hideouts in Kaushambhi district, following information she was there. However, the 2 hour operation, which included use of drone cameras, proved futile. Police in Mau also visited Mohammadabad in Ghazipur's Yusufpur to search Afshan Ansari's residence and question people, Mohammadabad circle officer Hitendra Krishna told ET.