Journalist murder case: Police start probe against UP minister Ram Murti Verma

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh police on Friday said probe against state minister Ram Murti Verma into killing of a journalist was going on and after collection of enough evidences he would be called for interrogation, if needed. [caption id=“attachment_2293686” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Jagendra Singh. Facebook page[/caption] “The probe into the matter is going on. Forensic teams of Lucknow and Moradabad had gone to the spot and collected samples. Detailed reports are likely in a week,” IG, Law and Order, A Satish Ganesh told reporters. Asked about possibilities of interrogation from the minister, the officer said “as of now work of collection of evidence is on. The minister will be interrogated, whenever needed.” Inspector Prakash Rai, named in the FIR has been transferred to Jhansi while names of other policemen that came to fore have been identified and their names would be added in the case diary, he said. “I have come to know that the family members of the dead journalist are being lured for money. If it is so, they can approach Shahjahanpur SP,” he said. Journalist Jagendra Singh was allegedly set afire by minister and five others on 1 June after which he died on 8 June during treatment. An FIR was registered against minister for Backward Classes Welfare Ram Murti Verma, Inspector (Chowk) Sri Prakash Rai, Gufran, Akash Gupta, Amit Pratap Singh and Bhure for killing Jagendra by setting him afire. The FIR was registered at Puwayan police station of Shahjahanpur by victim’s son Raghvendra after his father died during treatment at a hospital here on 8 June. Meanwhile, ruling Samjawdi party MLA from Lucknow, Ravidas Mehrotra has demanded sacking of the minister. “Its a serious matter and heinous crime. I request you (CM) to order a probe into the matter and remove Verma from your ministry. Also, the guilty policemen should be immediately suspended and arrested,” Mehrotra said in a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. PTI