Station officer,gangster named in ex-MLA’s murder

Sarvesh’s brother Santosh Singh alleged that the former MLA’s security was withdrawn after he lost in the elections last year despite threats to his life,primarily from Kuntu Singh.

Santosh has also demanded a CBI investigation into the murder.

Speaking to The Sunday Express over the phone,Santosh said: “Vijay Singh had called my brother and asked him to strike a compromise with Kuntu Singh. When Sarvesh refused,he got killed. When a policeman is himself involved,how can one expect a fair investigation? Therefore,we want a CBI probe.”

Azamgarh SP Arvind Sen said: “The allegations against Vijay Singh are being investigated. He has been placed under suspension. Investigations are being monitored at the state level.”

Santosh also said several complaints and meetings with the higher-ups seeking security cover for the former MLA were of no avail.

“My brother’s security was withdrawn after he lost the elections last year. Since then,he sent several written complaints to the local police,the Superintendent of Police,as well as senior officials of the state administration. Only a few days ago,he met a secretary-level officer level of and requested for security. In all his complaints,it was clearly pointed out that there was a threat from Kuntu Singh. The entire administration knows about it well.”

Inspector General of Police (Varanasi Zone),G L Meena,said: “Santosh Singh has complained about withdrawal of security for Sarvesh. But such requests do not come to us. A district-level committee decides on the applications and then it is sent to the state administration. In case somebody’s life is in grave and evident danger,then security can be provided for 15 days at the district level.”

Meena added that several teams,including that of Special Task Force,were investigating the murder.

Sarvesh became SP MLA from Sagri assembly constituency in 2007. He was provided with security a couple of years later in the wake of the threat from Kuntu Singh. He was also provided with security at his house after it had come to light that Kuntu Singh was planning to attack Sarvesh.

“When he switched over to the BSP,which was then the ruling party,his security continued. However,it was withdrawn after he lost the 2012 Assembly elections from Azamgarh Sadar seat,” said a source.

Sarvesh had lost to SP’s Durga Prasad Yadav,who is currently a minister in the state government.

Kuntu Singh and Sarvesh’ family,said sources,have been at loggerheads since 2006,when Kuntu’s man lost an election for the block pramukh in Azamgarh block to a man fielded by Ram Pyare Singh — father of Sarvesh,who was a Cabinet minister in 2003 in the Mulayam Singh Yadav government. Kuntu had allegedly threatened Ram Pyare repeatedly against bringing Sarvesh in politics.

Sen added that at least four FIRs have been registered in connection with the entire incident. Sarvesh’ cousin Pawan Singh has got an FIR lodged against Vijay Singh,alleging that police resorted to firing at his behest in which one Jitendra was killed. Another person,Chandrabhan Chaubey,was also killed in the incident.

The police have lodged an FIR in connection with rioting,arson and damaging public property. Another FIR has been lodged by a photojournalist who had sustained injuries while taking photographs at the police station.

Sarvesh and his acquaintance Bharat Rai were killed yesterday morning,leading to a pitched violence in which two persons were killed in alleged police firing,while at least 15 others were injured. Several police vehicles were torched and a rifle was also snatched away. The police could take custody of the bodies only after 9 pm.