In 2002, Raju lost an election to

Atique Ahmad Atique Ahmed (born 10 August 1962) is an Indian politician who is also notable for being an alleged criminal leader and history-sheeter. He was elected as a member of the legislative assembly from the Allahabad west seat for 5 consecutive ter ...

. However, in 2004, Ahmad resigned after being elected to the Lok Sabha. Raju Pal won the subsequent by-election in November 2004, defeating Atique's younger brother Mohammad Ashraf. However, in January 2005, Raju Pal was shot dead while going to his village for the Republic day parade. Thereafter, Ashraf won the seat by defeating Pal's wife Puja Pal. Ashraf is the prime accused in the murder. Mohammad Ashraf's brother Atique has also been charged with complicity in the murder. While Atique is currently in jail with 21 criminal cases pending against him, the Mayawati government faced criticism for its failure to arrest Ashraf.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pal, Raju Indian politicians convicted of crimes Samajwadi Party politicians Assassinated Indian politicians 2005 deaths Bahujan Samaj Party politicians from Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh MLAs 2002–2007 Year of birth missing People from Allahabad district People murdered in Uttar Pradesh