Deceased journalist's kin demand action against UP minister

The family of a social media journalist on Tuesday sought action against Uttar Pradesh minister Ram Moorti Verma for the latter's alleged role in the murderous attack on the scribe and his death.

Shahjahanpur-based journalist Jagendra Singh's family claimed that during a police raid on his house on June 1 - during which he allegedly received serious burn injuries - Gufran, an aide of the minister, was also present.

The family also called for an independent probe into the whole matter leading to the death of Jagendra Singh.

Before his death on late Monday night of 60 percent burn injuries, Jagendra accused Verma of "unleashing" a reign of terror on him and his family for his investigative reports and comments against Verma.

The journalist alleged that he sustained burn injuries during a raid by Inspector Sriprakash Rai at his house in Awas Vikas Colony of Sadar Bazaar on June 1.

He told Inspector General (Civil Defence) Amitabh Thakur at the civil hospital two days ago that he was attacked on April 28 also near his house by the minister's henchmen but no action was taken in the case.

"He told me he was hounded for exposing Verma's alleged involvement in illegal mining and forced occupation of land," Thakur told IANS.