Fearless journalist Rajiv’s murder reminds us of Umesh Dobhal’s murder by the liquor mafia during eighties in Pauri Garhwal
The mysterious death, rather genocidal murder though not confirmed but a fact of an investigative, dashing, outspoken and fearless young journalist in Uttarakhand whose dead body was found after ten days stuck in Joshiyada barrage reminds us of the brutal murder of the the investigative fearless journalist Umesh Dobhal during the nighties who was mercilessly murdered in Sun n Snow hotel being daring, dashing and immensely courageous, a brave heart journalist.
Umesh Dobhal was murdered by the liquor mafia of Garhwal, the then mafia Manmohan Singh his fault being that he was brave and fearless in reporting against their bad deeds especially illegal liquor smuggling in the hills in league with the then police administration and the higher ups when Uttarakhand wasn’t created as separate entity being a part of an undivided Uttar Pradesh.
The brutal mysterious death of Garhwal’s dashing journalist Rajiv Pratap who very openly made startling revelations of corrupt deeds of the local administration and inefficient deeds of health and other departments of Garhwal Uttarakhand was the target of many who repeatedly received the threats of dire consequences reveal the news reports.
History is witnessed that journalists who had been extremely vociferous and outstanding against injustice and corruption have always been the targets of the powers that be and anti social elements whom they exposed to the hilt including the corporates and higher ups whose vested interests were questioned and news published exposing them in the society of their ugly deeds.
In the case of Rajiv Pratap, the way he went mysteriously missing for twelve days and the state police proved to be a complete failure to find about his whereabouts finally tracing him in a dead state brutally killed, stuck in a Joshiyada barrage, is indeed a blot on the police of Uttarakhand. Sounds shocking that Uttarakhand has lost a dashing outspoken journalist whose only fault was that he was brave, courageous and outspoken.
The ball is now in the court of Uttarakhand government and the media fraternity is hoping that the government of the day brings the real culprits to justice at the earliest failing which not less than a CBI probe will satisfy the bereaved family and the media fraternity of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand demands immediate justice by bringing the culprits to the law book at the earliest, honouring the sentiments of the traumatised family and the people of Uttarakhand. Our heartfelt tributes and deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for giving the family enough strength to bear this irreparable loss. OM SHANTI
