The UP Government on Saturday suspended five policemen who were allegedly involved in the sensational killing of a journalist in Shahjahanpur. The Opposition parties and various organisations are demanding a CBI probe into the alleged killing of Shahjahanpur-based journalist Jagendra Singh and removal of Minister of State for Backward Welfare Ram Murti Verma, whom the scribe had named in his dying declaration before a magistrate.
“Five policemen, including station house officer of Kotwali police station in Shahjahanpur, Shree Prakash Rai, sub-inspector Krantiveer Singh, head constable Subhash Chandra, and constables Udaiveer and Mansoor have been placed under suspension in connection with the killing of scribe Jagendra Singh,” IG (law & Order) A Satish Ganesh disclosed in a specially called Press conference here on Saturday evening.
The suspensions have come two weeks after Jagendra Singh was set on fire and doubts were raised over the government’s intention and the family members of the victim too claimed that the move was made just to divert the media attention. An NGO also filed a Public Interest litigation (PIl), seeking an independent probe by officials of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Ganesh said that the statement of all the family members was recorded ‘in-camera’ and the magisterial enquiry ordered by local district magistrate had also started. Ganesh further said that the findings of the FSl teams from Bareilly and Moradabad, which collected evidence from the spot, would be further examined in lucknow. About the dying declaration made by the victim, Ganesh said that a move has been already made to procure it from the court and including it in the case diary for further investigation.
When asked that for what purpose, the police team went to raid the journalist house on the fateful day, Ganesh said that they went in connection with a case registered against Joginder. However, Ganesh failed to give details of the case. He also added that local police have been directed to forward adequate security to the family members.
Meanwhile a PIl has been filed in Allahabad High Court seeking directions for a CBI probe into the death of scribe Jagendra Singh. The PIl was filed on June 11 by an NGO and is likely to come up for hearing on June 15. The petition said that the incident was so serious in nature that it calls for a CBI probe. A direction was also sought for providing proper compensation to the scribe’s family. Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), DGP and others have been made opposite parties in this matter, the petitioner said.
It may be mentioned that a case was registered against Minister of State for Backward Welfare Ram Murti Verma along with five others, including a police inspector, under sections 302, 120B, 504 and 506 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), by the family of Jogendra Singh. The kin of deceased scribe in their complaint alleged that Jagendra was writing news against the Minister and then on June 1, the scribe was set ablaze under suspicious conditions, later the scribe succumbed to his severe burn injuries in a hospital here in lucknow on last Monday. Jagendra Singh, in his dying declaration had reportedly said that before a magistrate that he was set ablaze at behest of the Minister by policemen and Minister’s henchmen. The victim’s family now also claimed to be getting threatening call from the cops to withdraw the FIR or be ready to face the consequences.