File photo of Raja Bhaiya
Raja Bhaiya, a politician with a lengthy criminal record, has resigned as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government over alleged links to the murder of a senior police officer on Saturday night in his constituency of Kunda.
"If I had a problem with him (the policeman), I would have had him transferred, not killed," said Raja Bhaiya, whose real name is Raguraj Pratap Singh.
He has been accused of criminal conspiracy; the four men accused of shooting the police officer on Saturday night are allegedly his associates.
The case against Raja Bhaiya was filed by the policeman's widow, who has accused him of commissioning the murder. She wants the CBI to investigate the case and a crore as compensation for her husband's death. She says her husband was killed for ignoring threats to abandon an investigation into a case of communal violence.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Zia Ul Haq was shot dead in Pratapgarh, about 100 kilometres from the state capital of Lucknow.
The head of a village had been shot over a land dispute. Mr Haq arrived to investigate the violence and was confronted by an angry mob. He was shot in his chest and head; he died immediately.
Three policemen have been suspended for abandoning Mr Haq.
The charges against Raja Bhaiya, who was Food and Civil Supplies Minister, have embarrassed Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who has repeatedly been accused of reneging on a campaign vow to end lawlessness in the state.
Opposition leader Mayawati says Mr Yadav's government exemplifies "goonda raj" or hooliganism, instructed and practiced by members of the ruling party. Mr Yadav's government completes its first anniversary on March 15.