- By Mayukh Debnath
- Sat, 19 Aug 2023 12:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Police have arrested four accused in connection with the murder of Dainik Jagran journalist Vimal Kumar Yadav in Bihar's Araria district. The arrested individuals have been identified as Vipin Yadav, Bhavesh Yadav, Ashish Yadav and Umesh Yadav, police informed on Saturday.
A total of eight accused have been identified on the basis of the statement by the victim's father, police said. Two of the eight accused are absconding, while another two are already lodged in Araria Jail, as per a statement by Bihar Police.
"Out of the eight accused four accused have been arrested. Two of the accused are in judicial custody in another case...The accused have a criminal history. The teams are raiding to nab the other two accused..," said Superintendent of Police (Araria) Arun Kumar Singh.
#WATCH | Bihar: "Out of the eight accused four accused have been arrested. Two of the accused are in judicial custody in another case...The accused have a criminal history. The teams are raiding to nab the other two accused..," says Araria SP Arun Kumar Singh on a journalist… pic.twitter.com/bmAEkxfSJ4
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2023
Vimal Kumar was shot dead by assailants who barged into his residence in Araria's Raniganj area on Friday. It is suspected that the killing is related to his brother Gokul Yadav's murder, which took place in a similar manner nearly four years ago. Vimal's family has claimed that he was receiving threats to alter his testimony in the case. "Vimal had told the Police that there is a threat to his life, 3-4 days before he had requested Police protection," the victim's father stated.
#WATCH | Journalist shot dead in Araria | "... Vimal had told the Police that there is a threat to his life, 3-4 days before he had requested Police protection", says Victim's Father pic.twitter.com/TL2ZkqcG5Z
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2023
Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "It is saddening that this has happened with a journalist. I have instructed the officials to look into it." The chief minister ordered a high-level inquiry into Vimal's murder. The investigation into the case is being monitored by SP (Araria).
Reacting to the incident, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "In a state where journalists, police personnel are not safe,...a woman MLA doesn't find herself safe...even after this if Nitish Kumar makes visits to Delhi to become Prime Minister and talks about opposition unity, it is better if he resigns first and then competes for the Prime Minister's post."
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said she was sure "proper action" would be taken against the culprits. "As far as Bihar is concerned...I completely trust that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and DY CM Tejashwi Yadav's government will take proper action on it..." Notably, Congress, Nitish Kumar's JD(U), and Lalu Prasad Yadav-helmed RJD are partners in the newly formed INDIA Opposition alliance.