Scribe death: Initial report indicates self-immolation

"We have received a part of the forensic report. We are awaiting the second part of the report to come to any conclusion. The report as of now is inconclusive," Shahjahanpur SP Bablu Kumar said on Tuesday.

Asked about the initial forensic report, which suggests that the burns were "self-inflicted", he said: "It is there in the report but for any conclusion we are waiting for the rest of the report." 

He added: "We are likely to get the remaining part of the report soon to come to any conclusion." The SP said a probe in the matter was already underway under DIG, Bareilly range. 

According to official sources, the initial findings are based on the forensic examination of the crime scene and Singh's autopsy. "<g data-gr-id="39">Jagendra</g> suffered more wounds on the left side of his abdomen in the lower chest region. This happens when a right-handed individual pours petrol on himself," they said.

Singh, a freelance journalist, was allegedly set on fire on June 1 during a police raid at his house at Awas Vikas colony in Sadar Bazar area of Shahjahanpur. He died during treatment at a hospital in Lucknow on June 8. Singh's family had lodged a complaint with the police against UP minister Ram Murti Verma and five others, including policemen, at <g data-gr-id="41">Puwayan</g> police station of Shahjahanpur.

An FIR was registered against Verma and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder. 

The video footage of dying declaration, which went viral on news channels and social media, showed Singh saying, "Why did they have to burn me? If the minister and his goons had a grudge, they could have beaten me instead of pouring kerosene and burning me."