Lucknow: Days after a Shahjahanpur-based journalist, Jagendra Singh, was burnt alive, ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shivpal Yadav on Monday defended absconding accused minister Ram Murti Verma and said that he will not be removed from the post until the matter is investigated.
“There have been several instances in the past when accusations have been made against a minister but could not be proved,” Shivpal, the brother of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, added.
Ram Murti Verma, UP Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, is the prime accused in the case along with five others and absconding since the incident.
The Uttar Pradesh PWD minister gave the statement even as the wife of the victim today alleged that no one from the administration has visited them.
Meanwhile, the family continued to protest against the gruesome incident and their hunger strike entered into the second day today.
The victim's family is demanding arrest of all the accused.
Singh's son Rahul had earlier claimed that some of the Samajwadi Party ministers were offering them money and job.
The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended five policemen suspecting their involvement in the the gruesome incident.
An FIR was registered against minister for Backward Classes Welfare Ram Murti Verma, Inspector (Chowk) Sri Prakash Rai, Gufran, Akash Gupta, Amit Pratap Singh and Bhure for killing Jagendra.
