Pratapgarh/Lucknow: As questions remained whether the killing of a police officer in which Raja Bhaiya has been booked was planned, a post-mortem showed the victim was beaten up before being shot dead.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was non-committal on demands by opposition including by arch rival and BSP supremo Mayawati for the arrest of Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who is facing conspiracy charge, saying action will be taken against those found guilty.
The UP police struggled for a breakthrough in the killing of DSP Zia-ul-Haq, Circle Officer in Kunda from where Raja Bhaiya is a five-time MLA, by a mob in Pratapgarh on Saturday when he had rushed there after a village head was shot dead over a land dispute. The slain officer's wife has alleged that Raja Bhaiya, who resigned from the state Cabinet after an FIR was filed against him, had a hand in the attack.
The postmortem report revealed a dozen injury marks, including two bullet entry and exit wounds.
"According to the post mortem report there were 12 injury marks, including lacerated wound, abrasion and entry and exit bullet marks," IG Law and Order Rajkumar Vishwakarma told reporters in Lucknow.
He said the bullet injury was on the midline on the back of chest with exit on the right of the chest.
In reply to a question, Vishwakarma said a further probe would reveal whether or not the killing of Zia was planned.
"Now the case will be investigated by the CBI," he said. The state government has already sent a letter to the Centre seeking a CBI probe.
Describing the killings of the DSP and a village head as "very tragic", Akhilesh Yadav said things would be clear only after completion of the CBI inquiry for which the state government will fully cooperate.
"A proper enquiry is happening. In that everything will come out. If there is any conspiracy done by anybody it will come out," the Chief Minister told reporters after visiting the family of the slain village head Nanhe Yadav in Kunda.
"Action would be taken against those policemen who fled away from the scene....Those who showed weakness. Action would be taken against those found guilty," said Akhilesh.
Mayawati accused the SP government of trying to shield Raja Bhaiya and demanded his arrest.
Terming as a "heinous crime" the killing of Zia, the Centre asked the UP government to submit a report into the incident and ensure strict action against culprits.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, March 06, 2013, 20:11