Janjivan Bureau
Lucknow: The family members of Jagendra Singh, the Shajahanpur-based social media journalist who was set on fire for writing Facebook posts against Ram Murti Verma, a Minister in the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, have threatened self-immolation if the Minister, allegedly behind the murder, is not removed.
Singh’s wife, two sons, a daughter, and his father Sumer Singh are on indefinite dharna with their demands since June 14, at Shahjahanpur.
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday asked the State government to submit a status report on the investigation of the case in a week.
Jagendra Singh was allegedly set on fire by police personnel on June 1. The Minister’s name figures in the FIR filed by the victim’s son. Jagendra succumbed to burns on June 8.
Leaders of the BJP and the Congress met Governor Ram Naik demanding action against the Minster. The Governor told them that he would talk to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav regarding action against Mr. Verma. The forensic report is yet to be submitted to the authorities, raising doubts about the pace of investigation.
The State government suspended four cops posted at the local police Station, who raided Mr. Singh’s house and set him on fire.
Despite mounting clamour for Mr. Verma’s dismissal, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav could not act because of the division in the ruling party over the issue.
