In a big relief to the Samajwadi Party government of Uttar Pradesh the family of the murdered Shahjahanpur journalist Jagendra Singh has called off its indefinite protest, while giving up its demands for a CBI probe into the scribe’s death and removal of Ram Murti Verma, the Backward Class Welfare Minister. The journalist was killed on June 1.
The family took the decision after meeting the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday morning.
The development took place the day the Supreme Court had asked the State government why a CBI probe should not be ordered in the journalist’s murder which resulted in a nationwide outrage. While hearing a petition for CBI investigation into his murder, the Apex Court on Monday issued notice to the State government.
Singh succumbed to burn injuries in June 8 at a hospital in Lucknow. In his dying declaration video which was shot moments before he breathed last, he had named Mr. Verma responsible for the attack and subsequent death.
While the Chief Minister Alhilesh Yadav promised an “unbiased” probe, he also announced compensation of Rs. 30 lakhs and government jobs to Rahul and Raghvendra, the sons of the slain journalist.
"The Chief Minister said have faith in him. He assured us of an unbiased inquiry. He said give him three days and the culprits will be punished," Rahul told The Hindu on phone from Lucknow after the meeting.
Sumer Singh, Jagendra's father told the media that Chief Minister assured him about “support to the family, jobs to both my grand sons and justice.”
The family was sitting on an indefinite protest dharna demanding removal of Minister Verma, a CBI probe, compensation to the family and jobs to both the sons.
