The mysterious death of journalist Rajiv Pratap has raised serious questions in Uttarkashi, where his body was recovered from the Joshiada Barrage on Sunday. His family has alleged that he was repeatedly threatened before his death, with unknown callers pressuring him to delete certain videos he had made. According to his brother, Rajiv often received intimidating calls but never allowed himself to be cowed down. He was described as fearless, someone who always responded firmly without showing any sign of hesitation or fear.
Rajiv’s family has urged that the matter be handled with seriousness but without political interference. His brother specifically requested that people refrain from politicising the tragedy, emphasising instead the need for an impartial investigation. “We only want the truth to come out. A fair probe must reveal what actually happened to him,” he said.
His body was discovered during a joint search operation conducted by police and disaster management teams. The post-mortem examination revealed injuries to his chest and abdomen, adding to the suspicions surrounding his death. However, officials have offered a different preliminary assessment. Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobhal stated that the case appeared to be linked to electrocution. She further noted that CCTV footage confirmed Rajiv had been driving the car alone on the night of the incident. While his family has filed a complaint alleging murder, the police maintain that the investigation will determine the exact cause of death.
Addressing speculation about abduction or foul play, SP Dobhal clarified that no concrete evidence supporting such theories has yet been found. Nonetheless, given the family’s claims, the case has been registered under number 403, and further inquiry is underway. The police continue to collect statements, examine forensic reports, and verify all possible leads.
Prominent voices from the journalist community have also raised concerns. Chiranjeev Semwal, a senior journalist, described the matter as a “blind case” that requires a high-level inquiry. He cautioned against jumping to conclusions about whether it was a car accident or a deliberate crime, stressing that the facts must first be established through investigation.
Background accounts suggest that Rajiv went missing under unusual circumstances. On September 18, he had left Gyansoo, driving a friend’s car toward Gangori. By the next morning, his car was discovered near the Bhagirathi River in Syuna village, containing only his slippers. This prompted his family to suspect abduction, leading to the initial police case. His eventual recovery nearly two weeks later from the Joshiada Barrage, has only deepened the mystery.
Rajiv Pratap was a respected journalist and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). He ran a digital news platform, Delhi Uttarakhand Live, and had earned a reputation for his bold investigative reporting. His work frequently shed light on sensitive issues in the region, which now raises questions about whether his death was connected to his journalism. For his family, colleagues, and the larger media fraternity, only a thorough, transparent investigation will resolve the growing suspicions surrounding his tragic end.
