After the Samajwadi Party government ruled out immediate action against minister Ram Murti Verma, accused of getting a Shahjahanpur journalist killed, a cabinet member of the Uttar Pradesh government presented a bizarre defence for his colleague.
Adding insult to the injury of journalist Jagendra Singh's family, Verma's Cabinet colleague Parasnath Yadav went on record on Monday saying the journalist's death must have been written in his destiny.
This came on a day when senior Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav said that Ram Murti Verma would not be removed without full inquiry into the alleged killing of Shahjahanpur journalist Jagendra Singh finds him guilty.
Meanwhile, the family of the journalist said they would sit on a hunger strike against the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government. They have questioned why no action has been taken against Verma yet.
This came even as four policemen were suspended in connection with the case on Sunday, pending an inquiry.
A PIL has been filed with the Allahabad High Court demanding a CBI probe into the case. The family has alleged pressure by the SP leaders to drop the charges.
The victim's wife said, "Police officials came along with SP goons and set my husband on fire. We want the minister's resignation and arrest."
Singh died after he was allegedly burnt alive for a Facebook post against Ram Murti.
Singh's family has claimed that a police officer allegedly set the journalist on fire. He succumbed to his injuries while he was being taken to the hospital.
Singh had reportedly written about the MLA in newspapers accusing him of nefarious activities regarding illegal mining and forced occupation of land, etc. The charges are said to have angered the Samajwadi Party leader. He also allegedly implicated Singh in a false case.
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