The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices and sought reply from the Centre as well as the Uttar Pradesh Government on a petition demanding a CBI probe into the murder case of Jagendra Singh, who was allegedly killed by state minister Rammurti Singh Verma's henchmen and some police officials.
"We have filed a petition over the threat to the lives of journalists. The Central Government as well as the state governments should form guidelines for safety of journalists. The court has asked them to respond to the petition within two weeks," said lawyer Atish Chandra Agarwal.
Jagendra was reportedly set ablaze by Verma's henchmen on June 1. He succumbed to his burn injuries in a Lucknow hospital a week later.
The Shahjahanpur Police later registered a criminal FIR against eight persons, including the minister, in connection with the case.
The Uttar Pradesh Government had earlier suspended five policemen for their alleged role in the killing. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Meanwhile, another journalist hailing from Madhya Pradesh was burnt alive in Wardha district of Maharashtra on Sunday.