Cop,gangster named in ex-MLAs murder

Sarveshs brother Santosh Singh told The Sunday Express: 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.

The murder was followed by violence in the area,in which two people were killed.

Azamgarh SP Arvind Sen said the allegations against Vijay Singh were being investigated. He has been placed under suspension. Investigations are being monitored at the state level, he said.

Santosh also said that despite several requests,security cover was not given to the former MLA. My brothers security was withdrawn after he lost the elections last year. Since then,he sent several written complaints to the local police,the SP as well as senior officials of the state administration. Only a few days ago,he met a secretary-level officer and requested for security. In all his complaints,it was clearly pointed out that there was a threat from Kuntu Singh, he said.

IGP 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 somebodys life is in grave danger,security can be provided for 15 days at the district level.

Kuntu Singh and Sarveshs family,said sources,have been at loggerheads since 2006,when Kuntus 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.