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06 January 2025 – India –
The suspicious death of 24-year-old journalist Shubham Shukla in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked outrage and concern over rising violence against reporters in India. Shukla, who ran a local YouTube news channel, was found hanging near an e-rickshaw charging station on January 6, 2025. While police initially suggested suicide, his family and colleagues allege he was murdered following a violent altercation with associates of a local BJP councillor.
The incident reportedly began a few days earlier, during a birthday celebration, when Shukla and his younger brother were assaulted by the councillor’s aides. Shukla had allegedly exposed their misconduct in one of his reports. The physical attack left his brother hospitalized, and Shukla later filed a police complaint. According to the family, the accused began threatening him soon after, pressuring him to withdraw the complaint.
Shukla’s body was discovered hanging, but his family disputes the police’s suicide theory. They allege that he had no reason to take his life and insist that the scene appeared manipulated. They also accuse the police of inaction, claiming that no preventive measures were taken despite prior complaints and visible threats.
The case has reignited concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in India, especially at the local level, where reporters often lack institutional protection. Shukla’s death comes shortly after another journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar, was murdered in Chhattisgarh, further highlighting the dangers faced by independent journalists exposing local corruption or political misconduct.
Press associations and rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into Shukla’s death, along with protection mechanisms for journalists under threat. They stress the need to hold powerful individuals accountable and ensure that law enforcement does not act under political pressure.
As India continues to grapple with its global press freedom ranking, incidents like Shukla’s death underline the urgent need for stronger safeguards, rapid legal responses, and transparent investigations to prevent a chilling effect on the country’s independent media.
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