Watch video: UP scribe's last words, 'they set me ablaze me instead of beating'

Lucknow, June 13: A bone chilling video of the slain Uttar Pradesh journalist Jagendra Singh has come to the fore in which the scribe could be seen accusing the UP Minister of pouring kerosene over him and setting him ablaze while giving his statement to the magistrate.

"Why did they have to burn me? If the minister and his goons had a grudge, they could have thrashed me instead of pouring kerosene and burning me."

These were the words of slain journalist Jagendra Singh, who made the declaration to the magistrate on June 8 while he was suffering from immense pain.

The journalist could be seen accusing the minister for Backward Classes Welfare Ram Murti Verma and some local police officers of his current situation.

The victim could be seen crying in pain while giving his statement in the hospital where every inch of his skin is peeling due to the severe burn.

The journalist's statement in the video highlights lawlessness in UP.

Journalist Jagendra Singh was allegedly set afire by minister Ram Murti Verma and five others on June 1 after which he died on June 8 during treatment.

An FIR was registered against 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 June 8.

"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 in Lucknow.

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.

Hence, it will be worth watching what action police will take against minister and his aides.

The video has sent shockwaves across the country, which is mounting pressure over Akhilesh Yadav Government in UP to sack his minister and take action against him.

Meanwhile, Press Council of India (PCI) has set up a three member fact finding team to enquire into the reported killing of Jagendra in UP's Shahjahanpur district.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)