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March 08, 2025 – India –
Journalist and Right to Information (RTI) activist Raghvendra Bajpai was tragically killed in broad daylight on the Sitapur-Delhi National Highway in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bajpai was riding his motorcycle to meet a land tax collector when he was violently attacked. A motorcycle rammed into him, and he was then shot three times in the chest and shoulder. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival.
Bajpai, 35, had been actively investigating alleged irregularities in rice paddy sales and evasion of stamp duty in the region. His reports had significant consequences, leading to the suspension of four local administrative officials. His family and colleagues believe the murder was a direct retaliation for his courageous work exposing corruption.
Following the incident, authorities arrested three suspects, including a temple priest believed to be connected to the crime. However, two gunmen involved in the shooting remain at large, and police are continuing their search for them. The investigation into the killing is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies under pressure to bring all perpetrators to justice.
This brutal murder highlights the extreme dangers faced by journalists in India, particularly those who report on sensitive issues such as corruption, land scams, and local governance abuses. Journalists exposing powerful interests often become targets of violence and intimidation. Bajpai’s death adds to a worrying pattern of attacks on media professionals, which undermine press freedom and the public’s right to information.
The international journalist community and press freedom organizations have condemned the killing, calling for thorough investigations and increased protection for reporters on the ground. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and legal frameworks to ensure the safety of journalists in India and beyond.
Raghvendra Bajpai’s death is a grim reminder of the high price that journalists pay for exposing wrongdoing, and it stresses the importance of supporting and protecting media workers who risk their lives in pursuit of the truth.
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