The mysterious death of Uttarakhand journalist Rajeev Pratap has sparked widespread outrage across the country. Ten days after he went missing, his body was recovered from the Bhagirathi River in Uttarkashi on Sunday, raising serious questions about what really happened to him. While the police maintain it was an accident, claiming his car fell into the river, the family insists he was murdered.

Who was Rajeev Pratap?

Rajeev, an IIMC alumnus, ran a digital news channel called Delhi Uttarakhand Live. His family says he had been receiving threats after exposing alleged irregularities at a district hospital in Uttarkashi. He went missing on September 16 after he left for Gangori-Bhatwari. His family immediately filed a missing complaint, fearing danger.

“He was abducted,” says wife

Rajeev’s wife, Muskan, recalls speaking to him around 11 pm on the night he disappeared. According to her, Rajeev was anxious after posting reports on a hospital and a school. He said people were threatening to kill him if he didn’t delete the videos. Her final message at 11:50 pm went undelivered. “I am sure he was abducted. He could not have just fallen off the road,” she said, demanding a murder investigation.

What does the police say?

Police state that Rajeev was last seen sitting alone in his Alto car near a bus stop on September 18 at 11:20 pm. The next day, his car was found badly damaged in the Bhagirathi River.

Rescue teams pulled the vehicle out on September 19, and a slipper was found inside. However, the body surfaced only on Sunday at Joshiyara Barrage, later identified by the family. Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobhal said the body may have been swept away by the current, suggesting accidental death.

Family demands justice

Rajeev’s family refuses to accept the accident theory. They are demanding a fair investigation into what they believe is a targeted killing of a journalist who spoke truth to power. As public pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the Uttarakhand police: Was Rajeev a victim of an accident, or silenced for his journalism?