The report says the scribe committed self-immolation, thus neutralising the charge against Ram Murti Verma.

The forensic report of the Uttar Pradesh Police in the alleged murder of the Shahjahanpur-based journalist, Jagendra Singh, has virtually given a clean chit to the accused Minister in the Akhilesh Yadav Cabinet, Ram Murti Verma.

It concluded that the scribe committed self-immolation, thus neutralising the charge of murder against Mr. Verma and the police officials suspended after Singh died on June 8.

This comes a day after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assured ‘justice’ to the family of the journalist. He also promised Rs. 30 lakh compensation and jobs to both sons, while meeting the family members on Monday.

Reliable sources told The Hindu that the forensic report said, “There is enough evidence to suggest that the burn injuries on Singh’s body were self-inflicted.”

It cited the burns on the lower half of the body as indicating self-immolation.

This, besides the testimony of the main witness, would absolve the Minister, sources in the government said.

Jagendra had named Mr. Verma as being responsible for his death, in his dying declaration video, shot moments before he breathed his last. Sources in the Samajwadi Party said the “exercise of defending the BC Minister” had been completed.