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.
HC seeks status reportMeanwhile, 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.
Despite the nationwide outrage against the brutal murder of her husband, the Minister was not arrested, Suman told The Hindu on phone. “We will have no option but to kill ourselves if we are denied justice,” she added.
Support pours in“Police have been following the instructions of the Minister. Jagendra was killed by police personnel. How are we supposed to trust the police? Is it surprising when we say that we have no faith in the State police?” she asked.
