Anti-corruption journalist immolated by cops, allegedly under orders from minister

Jagendra Singh reported on corruption in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on his Facebook account, which allegedly prompted Ram Murti Singh Verma, a ruling party politician, to send police to his house to burn him alive; he died a week later of his injuries.

Amnesty International is calling for an investigation. Police have opened a case against the minister and five others. They have made no arrests.

The attack happened after he published an article and posted allegations of corruption on Facebook against ruling party politician Ram Murti Singh Verma. He used an alias, but his true identity was quickly discovered by his enemies.

Police have registered a complaint of murder and criminal conspiracy against Mr Verma, who denies the charges.

Jagendra Singh's family has alleged that Mr Verma and a group of policemen assaulted the 42-year-old journalist at his home and then doused him with petrol and set him on fire.

A local police official claimed that Mr Singh had "committed suicide" when the police arrived at his house in Shahjahanpur district to "arrest him" in connection with a case.

India: Amnesty urges journalist death probe [BBC]

Graft exposé cost U.P. journalist his life [Mohammad Ali/The Hindu]

(via /.)