New Delhi, August 11 (IANS): The Supreme Court said on Friday that it is concerned about two minor sons of slain gangster Atiq Ahmed, who are reportedly in the custody of Uttar Pradesh police. 

"We are concerned because those children are in jail, this is what we were told,” said a bench comprising of Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar to the counsel of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

In response, the counsel submitted that he will request for an adjournment of the matter as he doesn't have instructions from the state officials on this count.

“They are in child care custody,” the counsel added.

“But, on what ground? If they have a relative, they should be released,” the bench said.

At this, the state government counsel said: “I will get the instructions.”

Reportedly, the sister of slain gangster has moved the Supreme Court seeking custody of Atiq's two minor sons, who are lodged in the child protection home at Rajrooppur in Prayagraj since the past five months.

It is alleged that after the killing of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two security guards in Prayagraj on February 24, the state police had picked up the two minor sons of Atiq and lodged them at the child protection home in Rajrooppur.