UP journalist murder case: Won't act against minister Ram Murti Verma, says Shivpal Yadav

Lucknow, June 15: It seems the Akhilesh Yadav government in UP is unfazed with the increasing demand over sacking of Minister Ram Murti Verma, the main accused in journalist Jagendra Singh's murder.

Defending his cabinet collegue Verma, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav on Monday cleared that the absconding minister will not be asked to vacate the post.

Shivpal Yadav, UP PWD minister and brother of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, was quoted as saying, "There have been several instances in the past when accusations have been made against a minister but nothing could be proved."

The top SP leadership has been defending the minister despite the fact that there is a video recording of the slain journalist where he holds the minister responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP is demanding a CBI probe into killing of the Shahjahanpur-based journalist.

BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has said that justice could not be meted to the scribe's family if the matter is probed by the state.

Meanwhile, the family of the slain journalist has sat on a dharna demanding a CBI probe of the case. Father of the deceased scribe has even written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding justice.

Jagendra Singh faced the fury allegedly for posting illegal mining activities and land grabbing against UP minister Ram Murti Verma on his Facebook account.

A case was registered against Minister and five others, including a police official, when his family members refused to cremate the journalist till a case was registered.

Singh's family has demanded action against the UP minister.

OneIndia News