It is yet to be confirmed whether Bajpai had informed the police about the threats.Bajpai’s wife Rashmi mentioned in her complaint that he had recently published several news reports that angered certain individuals. According to Rashmi’s complaint, Bajpai left home around 2.30 pm on March 8, stating that he was going to meet somebody. An hour later, Rashmi was informed of her husband’s killing.Rashmi alleged that her husband’s movements were being closely tracked by the assailants before he was ambushed and killed.Rashmi has written to UP CM Yogi Adityanath and spoke with BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary, demanding immediate arrest and the strictest possible legal action against those involved in the crime.She also sought financial assistance of Rs 1 crore and a government job based on her qualification.Earlier on Sunday morning, tensions flared between Bajpai’s family and local police as they staged a protest by placing the journalist’s body on the highway. The situation escalated into a verbal spat with the officers. The family demanded immediate arrest of his killers and a job for one of the family members.Bajpai’s father Mahendra Nath Bajpai performed the last rites after the family was assured by the the police that their demands would be sent for consideration to the state government.Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Brajesh Pathak vowed strict action against those involved in the murder.”Every person involved in this murder will be arrested. The case will be tried in a fast-track court to ensure maximum punishment. The government has taken cognizance of the incident, and no conspirator will be spared,” he said.UP Congress chief Ajay Rai visited the bereaved family on Sunday and condemned the incident, calling it “a heart-wrenching tragedy that deserves the strongest condemnation.”“If the murderers are not caught within two days, Congress will protest in the entire state as law and order has completely collapsed under the BJP government. The Congress stands with the victim’s family,” he said.Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) MLA Pallavi Patel also criticised the state government, calling the murder an example of lawlessness in Uttar Pradesh.(With inputs from Namita Bajpai)
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