Uttar Pradesh Minister Ram Murti Singh Verma has been booked along with five others in connection with the killing of Jagendra Singh, a Shahjahanpur-based journalist. Singh was allegedly burnt to death for a Facebook post against the Samajwadi Party leader on June 1.
His family alleges that a police officer set him on fire during a raid. Singh had reportedly accused MLA Ram Murti Verma of being involved in illegal mining activities and land grabbing. His family also claims that Singh was implicated in false cases at the behest of the MLA.
An FIR has been registered against Minister Ram Murti, Inspector Sri Prakash Rai besides four others after the journalist’s son registered a complaint.
The police however claim that the journalist set himself on fire when they tried to arrest him over a case registered against him. Singh later succumbed to his injuries.
In his 15-year-long career as a journalist, Singh had worked with Amar Ujala, Hindustan, and Swatantra Bharat. For the past year, Singh had posted news updates on his Facebook profile under the name ‘Shahjahanpur Samachar.’
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