Former Uttar Pradesh minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya, is facing arrest after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named him as an accused in the murder of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Zia-ul-Haq.
The CBI, which took over the DSP murder case on Wednesday, launched an investigation on Thursday and booked Raja Bhaiya for murder, based on the complaint of the victim's widow Parveen Azad.
The UP state police on Sunday booked the former minister for criminal conspiracy, but the CBI changed the charge to murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sources said that the CBI has filed at least four FIRs after taking over the case.
The investigating agency is expected to take custody of the two people arrested, including Raja Bhaiya's supporter Guddu Singh, in connection with the case. It was also reported that a second autopsy will be ordered if needed.
The DSP was allegedly killed by four associates of Raja Bhaiya after arriving in Balaspur village, Kunda, to investigate the murder of village pradhan, Nanhe Yadav, and his brother over a land dispute. The police officer's body was found in the village but the police forces accompanying him had gone into hiding.
UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who visited Kunda, handed ₹20 lakh to the widows of the slain gram pradhan and his brother, on Wednesday. He referred the case to the CBI on request of the DSP's wife, who complained of police inaction.
The UP government had earlier suspended eight policemen, including the inspector of Kunda, for fleeing from the crime scene. Two people including Raja Bhaiya's supporter Guddu were arrested, but the case didn't move forward after that.
The police neither recorded the statements of the eyewitnesses nor questioned the constable who accompanied the DSP. The police officer's service revolver and mobile phone were not found. The weapon that was used on him was also not recovered.
Police said that the DSP was killed by a single shot that passed through his chest. However, the victim's wife Parveen Azad, a medical student, claimed that she saw at least three bullet wounds in her husband's body and demanded a second autopsy.
Parveen Azad filed an FIR against Raja Bhaiya and his three close aides for conspiracy, which led to the minister's resignation. Four cases have been lodged in connection with the murder of the DSP.
Surprisingly, Raja Bhaiya has not been arrested in spite of being accused for the murder. Claiming that he has been framed in the case, the former minister said that both he and his aide, Guddu Singh, are innocent.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Mayawati slammed the Samajwadi Party (SP) government for its apathy in the case and not taking action on Raja Bhaiya.
