PEC Demands Probe into Uttarakhand Scribe’s Mysterious Death

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by Nava Thakuria

Geneva: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and rights body, has expressed deep concern over the mysterious death of an Indian journalist in Uttarakhand and called for a fair probe into the circumstances that led to his untimely demise.

The body of Rajeev Pratap Singh (36) was recovered from the Joshiyara hydroelectric barrage on the Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi district on Sunday, 28 September, ten days after he went missing on 18 September. Initial reports suggest Rajeev’s car had fallen into the river.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, Rajeev ran a digital news platform titled Delhi Uttarakhand Live, which primarily covered local issues.

PEC president Blaise Lempen urged Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to personally intervene in the case.

“We demand an authentic probe to identify the probable culprits involved in the incident that caused the death of Rajeev Pratap Singh and punish them under the law. As the scribe reportedly received multiple threats for his reports, it is essential that the matter is taken seriously,” Lempen said in a statement (PEC News).

PEC on Attacks Against Journalists in Nepal

Earlier, PEC had called for an impartial probe into the violence against journalists in Nepal during the unrest of 8 and 9 September. The interim government led by Sushila Karki was urged to compensate affected scribes and media organisations.

The unrest claimed the lives of over 70 people, including 55 protesting youths, and left more than 1,500 injured. Several mainstream media groups, including Kantipur Media Group and Annapurna Media Network, were targeted.

At least five journalists—Shyam Shrestha, Dipendra Dhungana, Umesh Karki, Barsha Shaha and Shambhu Dangal—were injured while reporting on the ground.

Global Toll on Media Workers

PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that 136 media workers have been killed globally so far this year.

In Nepal, journalist Suresh Rajak was killed during a pro-monarchy agitation in Kathmandu earlier this year.
In India, Mukesh Chandrakar, Raghavendra Vajpayee, Sahadev Dey, Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, and Chintakayalu Naresh Kumar have lost their lives to assailants since 1 January 2025.
In Bangladesh, at least four journalists—Md Asaduzzaman Tuhin, Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Anwar Hossain, and Khandaker Shah Alam—were killed this year.