Pleased with the assurance of a compensation package of Rs 30 lakh and a government job for both the sons of the alleged slain scribe Jagendra Singh, the family members of the victim claimed to have called off strike to demand a probe into the killing by sleuths of Central Bureau of investigation and also immediate sacking of the accused minister, Ram Murti Singh Verma. They were satisfied of a fair probe soon after meeting with the chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, here on Monday afternoon.
“We are fully convinced with the assurances given by the chief minister that a fair probe will be made and if the minister is found to be involved in it, he will be not just shunted out but also arrested”, disclosed Sumer Singh. Talking the media persons soon after meeting Akhilesh Yadav, here on Monday afternoon, Sumer, in presence of Jagendra’s son claimed that they were also assured of getting a compensation package of Rs 30 lakh, government jobs for both the sons, Samajwadi Pension for the family, and that to hand-over the disputed land back to them.
Interestingly, on Sunday, Sumer Singh lodged a police complaint alleging that some men asked them to withdraw the case of murder they had filed and settle for Rs 20 lakh and a government job for a member of the family. The father of the slain journalist said the men, probably a PRO of the accused minister, approached him even as the family was getting ready to observe the rituals that follow 13-days after a death on Sundaymorning.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also served notices to UP government and the Centre on a PIl demanding a CBI probe into the killing of the scribe. The Apex Court directed both the governments to file a counter affidavit within a fortnight on the above matter as well as to tell the Court that what directives have been framed to provide adequate security cover to the journalists.
It may be mentioned that Jagendra Singh was allegedly set on fire by policemen conducting a raid at his Shahjahanpur home on June 1. He died on June 8 at a lucknow hospital while under treatment for severe burns. The scribe has given a dying declaration on video about the minister’s involvement in his burning. The “police raid” was allegedly conducted at the behest of UP minister for Backward Classes Welfare Ram Murti Singh Verma. Jagendra Singh had made several posts on Facebook “exposing” Verma in cases of land grabing and corruption. He had also rushed to the aid of an anganwadi worker who alleged that the minister and his goons had raped her.
DIG Range RKS Rathore, who is now supervising the above case, also visited the home of the journalist in Khutahar village and assured the family of all help, on Sunday. Various journalists organisations in the country were agitated over the killing and have demanded a CBI probe into the matter. local Shahjahanpur journalists have demanded police action against Amit Pratap Bhadauria, named among the accused in the Jagendra Singh murder, who reportedly threatened a journalist called Salman Khan as he sat on dharna outside the collectorate with the family members. The family members were also demanding a CBI probe into the incident, immediate arrest of the minister and dismissal of the policemen involved in the horrific crime. The five cops who actively participated in the crime have been suspended so far. But the Samajwadi Party and the Chief Minister has refused to sack the minister.