Journalist death: Jaitley calls for fair probe, says competent career has been cut short

New Delhi: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley on Sunday mourned the demise of journalist Akshay Singh, terming him a competent professional, adding that a fair inquiry into his death is essential.

"It is a matter of deep sorrow that a very competent and upcoming journalist, Akshay Singh, has died while performing his duty as an investigative journalist. I deeply mourn his death. My condolences to his family members and all his colleagues and friends. A very competent career has been cut short," Jaitley told ANI.

"Since various issues are being raised with regards to the circumstances of his death, it would be absolutely important that a very fair inquiry is held so that all doubts are put at rest. As far as Akshay's death is concerned, I think it is time to mourn a competent professional, the best in whom was yet to come," he added.

Akshay Singh, a journalist with the TV Today Group, died suddenly yesterday when he had gone to take an interview of the family of a slain Vyapam scam accused in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.

Reports say that Singh felt chest pain while he was taking the interview. He was taken to the Meghnagar hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Singh's post mortem report is still awaited. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that he will hand over the investigation of Singh's death to the SIT.

Meanwhile, Singh's body was brought to Nigambodh Ghat in the national capital for the final rites.