RSF Submits Fifth ICC Complaint Over Israeli Targeting of Journalists in Gaza
September 30, 2025
IPI Urges EU States to Act Against Journalist Killings in Gaza
September 30, 2025
September 30, 2025 – India –
Indian journalist Rajeev Pratap (36), who ran the YouTube channel Delhi Uttarakhand Live, was found dead on September 28 after being missing since September 18. His body was recovered from the Joshiyara barrage on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarkashi district.
Disappearance, Discovery & Official Findings
CCTV footage traced his movements on the night he vanished: seen at Uttarkashi bus stand around 11:20 pm, later crossing Gangori Bridge in a friend’s car. The next morning, the same vehicle was located further downstream in a damaged state near Syun village. His belongings—slippers, bag, broken glass—were found near the wreck, the ignition still on.
A postmortem found internal chest and abdominal injuries but no visible external assault marks. Authorities suggest these could be consistent with a crash. Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by the Deputy SP of Uttarkashi, to thoroughly examine all evidence.
Family’s Claims & Press Freedom Concerns
Pratap’s wife Muskan has raised serious allegations: she claims he had been receiving threats linked to his reporting on a hospital and a school, warning that his videos be taken down or face consequences. She says their last call ended at 11:50 pm and that afterward his phone was unreachable.
His family and media bodies have rejected the accident theory. His brother has pointed out discrepancies: CCTV footage was recorded far from where the body was found, and Pratap had allegedly been under significant pressure to remove critical content.
Calls for Transparent Investigation
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged authorities to pursue “a comprehensive and transparent investigation” that doesn’t disregard claims of targeting tied to his journalism. CPJ’s India representative emphasised that the police’s car-crash conclusion must not overshadow credible threats and context.
Meanwhile, media groups, fellow journalists, and human rights advocates are demanding clarity. Many warn that without a serious, independent probe, the case may symbolize a chilling of journalism under duress rather than closure.
As the SIT’s investigation proceeds, public scrutiny remains intense—Pratap’s death has sparked renewed debate on the risks reporters face in exposing corruption and demanding accountability in India.
Reference –
https://thewire.in/media/journalist-uttarakhand-rajeev-pratap-dead-mysterious
