Journalist Dies Of Burns; Accused, Too, Found With Burns

Chakresh Jain, a journalist working for a Hindi daily, died after sustaining 90 per cent burns in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, reports The Hush Post. His brother alleged that two men had torched Chakresh, who was involved in a legal dispute with Aman Chaudhary, a government officer.

Two years ago, a case under SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act was registered against Jain on Chowdhary’s complaint. The case is in the final stages of hearing.

Denying the allegations, Aman claimed that Jain reached his house in Shahgarh town in the morning and set him on fire. Aman himself is being treated at a hospital for 30 per cent burns.

Senior police officer Amit Sanghi said that in his statement before a magistrate, Chowdhary had claimed that Jain arrived at his house around 8am to discuss the case and allegedly poured petrol over him and set him on fire before fleeing.

But five hours later, Sanghi said, Jain’s brother found him burnt inside a hut. He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead.

Jain’s brother Raj Kumar alleged that his brother told him that he was burnt by two men, including Aman Chowdhary. He also alleged that his brother was alive when he was taken to hospital but his dying declaration was not recorded.