Uttarakhand Journalist Dies After Reported Threats, Probe Underway

Police Recover Body From River 10 Days After Disappearance

October 5, 2025

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The body of a journalist, Rajeev Pratap, was found in a river in northern India days after he went missing, prompting calls from his family and press freedom groups for a formal investigation. Police initially said the death appeared to be the result of a car accident, but authorities have since formed a special team to examine the case further.

Thirty-six-year old Pratap, who ran the YouTube news channel “Delhi Uttarakhand Live,” was reported missing on the night of Sept. 18. His wife, Muskan, told police that he had expressed fear over threatening calls demanding that he take down a video report he had published about alcohol consumption at a district hospital in Uttarkashi, according to The Indian Express.

His car was found on the riverbank on Sept. 20, a day after Muskan last spoke to him. On Sept. 28, police recovered his body from the Joshiyara hydroelectric barrage on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported.

Authorities initially said there were no external injuries on Pratap’s body and suggested he may have died in a car accident. But the family rejected this explanation and filed an abduction complaint, which led to a formal police case.

On Sept. 30, Uttarakhand Police announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances of his death. The SIT, led by the deputy superintendent of police in Uttarkashi, has been tasked with reviewing CCTV footage, digital evidence, phone records and the statements of those last seen with the journalist, according to NDTV.

Director General of Police Deepam Seth was quoted as saying that a technical assessment of the car will also be conducted. He confirmed that Pratap’s family had reported threats, and although no formal complaint had been filed earlier, investigators will examine that angle.

Pratap was last seen driving on Sept. 18 in footage from a local CCTV camera. The next day, his family contacted police, and a search was launched with help from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force. Drones and dog squads were also deployed during the operation.

A post-mortem examination found internal injuries to the chest and abdomen but no signs of external trauma, according to Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobal. Police reportedly said the injuries were consistent with an accident.

The family, however, continued to allege foul play, citing the threatening calls and the fact that Pratap had reportedly told his wife he felt unsafe. Muskan said he had told her “many people were calling him, threatening to kill him” if he did not take down the report.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to conduct a “thorough and impartial” investigation into the journalist’s death.

Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Congress party, posted on social media that the death was “tragic” and called for an “immediate, impartial and transparent” inquiry. He also said the family should receive justice without delay.

The CPJ also urged authorities not to rule out any cause of death prematurely.

“Authorities in Uttarakhand state should not discount any possible causes of Rajeev Pratap’s death, including his family’s serious allegation that he was targeted for his journalism,” said Kunal Majumder, CPJ’s India representative.

Pratap’s death comes amid concerns over the safety of independent journalists in India, particularly those reporting on local corruption or sensitive issues. His YouTube channel had published several videos that were critical of local administration and healthcare conditions in Uttarakhand.

The Uttarakhand police have said they are waiting for the full post-mortem report before making further conclusions.

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