A Congress delegation today met Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and submitted a memorandum demanding immediate dismissal of Cabinet Minister Ram Murti Verma, accused of orchestrating killing of a Shahjahanpur scribe, besides a CBI inquiry into the case.
The delegation, led by senior leader Ram Kishan Dwivedi, drew attention of the Governor on "government patronage" to the minister and stressed that since an impartial inquiry in the case was not possible, it should be handed over to the CBI, a Congress release stated.
The delegation also demanded Rs 20 lakh should be given to the kin of slain Jagendra Singh and asked for security for all scribes in the state so that they can fearlessly raise issues concerning the common people.
The governor has assured prompt action in the case within the ambit of the Constitution, it added.
Journalist Jagendra Singh was allegedly set on fire by policemen on June 1 during a raid at his house at Vikas Colony in Sadar Bazar, Shahjahanpur. He died during treatment at a hospital in Lucknow on June 8.
The journalist had reportedly invited Verma's ire by posting reports on Facebook about illegal mining activities and land grabbing against the minister.
A video footage of dying declaration which went viral on news channels showed Singh saying, "Why did they have to burn me? If the minister and his goons had a grudge, they could have beaten me instead of pouring kerosene and burning me.
