Malegaon accused seeks protection alleging attack on his car

LUCKNOW: Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyaya, one of the accused in 2008 Malegaon blast, was allegedly attacked near Budheshwar crossing in Lucknow’s Para area on Saturday. Upadhyaya, along with three family members, was travelling to Delhi when his vehicle was attacked.

LUCKNOW: Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyaya, one of the key accused in 2008 Malegaon blast, was allegedly attacked near Budheshwar crossing in Lucknow’s Para area here on Saturday.

Upadhyaya, along with three family members, was travelling to Delhi when his Tata Safari SUV was attacked by unknown miscreants.

The revelation was made by Upadhyaya himself soon after the attack.

He is out on bail. Seven persons had died in the blast that took place on September 29, 2008 in Malegoan.

Upadhyaya fears the attack was carried out by some Muslim extremists group to harm him and his family.

He said he had earlier too written a letter to both chief ministers of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh for a security cover.

He said the assailants first fired on the SUV on Budheshwar turn following which the back side wind screen was damaged.

When the SUV stopped, two persons, who were holding knives, punctured his right side rear tyre.

However, the attackers fled as several passers-by were present around.

Upadhyaya said he had gone to his native place in Ballia for his son Vishal’s marriage a few days back and had returned to Lucknow on Friday night.

After a night halt here, they had started for Delhi on Saturday morning.

The firing on the SUV took place when they crossed Budheshwar crossing to take Luc-

know-Agra Expressway for Delhi at around 11.15 am.

He said his son was driving the vehicle while he was sitting next to him. His wife and daughter-inlaw were present on the back seats.

Upadhyaya said his son’s marriage was publicized and people were aware about his presence in Uttar Pradesh.

He alleged that the attackers had laid a trap to attack his family and opened fire at a strategic location after tracking them down in Lucknow.

Upadhyaya said he immediately dialed police for help and the police vehicle escorted them in the direction of LucknowAgra Expressway.

Station officer (SO) of Para police station, Ajai Prakash Tripathi said the initial probe suggested that the windscreen was damaged due to firing by air pistol.

“We are unable to trace two persons who allegedly punctured the tyre,” said the SO, adding, an FIR IPC section 336 (for endangering human life or personal safety) and 427 (for mischief causing damage to others property) has been registered against unknown persons.