Atiq killing: Criminals must be punished under 'law of land', says Congress

The party also said, "subverting or violating" the rule of law and judicial process for any "political purpose" is dangerous for the 'democracy'.

Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by unidentified assailants last night in Prayagraj while they were being taken to a medical college for regular check up in police custody.

"The law of our country is written in the Constitution. This law is paramount. The criminals should be given the harshest punishment. But it should be under the law of the land," Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote in a series of tweets, in a veiled attack on the BJP-led government in UP.

The Congress leader added, "Playing with or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is not right for our democracy."

Echoing a similar sentiment, Congress general secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh said, "The rule of law as laid down in our country’s Constitution is paramount.

Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. "

"Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," the MP said in a statement.

It should be our collective endeavors to ensure that the judicial system and rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called a meeting with senior officials of the state police, including the Director General of Police (DGP) and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), after the shocking on camera killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj by unidentified attackers despite police security.