He was anxious after his story': Uttarakhand journalist's body found in river days after he went missing, family alleges foul play

He was anxious after his story': Uttarakhand journalist's body found in river days after he went missing, family alleges foul play

In Uttarakhand, the body of journalist Rajeev Pratap was recovered from a river nearly ten days after he vanished, triggering sharp accusations of foul play by his family and demands for an impartial probe.

Disposition & discovery

Rajeev Pratap, aged 36 and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), went missing on September 18. His vehicle—an Alto car—was later found badly damaged in the Bhagirathi River near Gangori on September 19. The car was recovered by rescue teams, and inside, officials noted a lone slipper. On September 28 or 29, his remains surfaced at the Joshiyara Barrage, identified by family members. A postmortem has been conducted, but the cause of death is pending conclusive results. 

Family’s allegations & context

Pratap’s wife, Muskan, informed police that she last spoke to him around 11 p.m. on the night of his disappearance. She stated that he had been feeling anxious after uploading investigative videos about alleged irregularities in a district hospital and a school (via his YouTube channel, Delhi Uttarakhand Live). According to her, he had received threats: “many people were calling him, threatening to kill him if the videos were not taken down.” She claimed a message she sent at 11:50 p.m. went undelivered and insisted that “he was abducted by someone. I am sure he did not just fall off the road.” The family had filed a missing persons complaint, specifying his route toward Gangori–Bhatwari before he disappeared. An FIR was lodged in Uttarkashi under sections pertaining to abduction. 

Police version & caveats

Police have expressed their prima facie stance that Pratap’s car may have plunged into the swollen river due to an accident, potentially sweeping away his body before washing it downstream. Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobhal said CCTV footage showed him alone in the car moments before the incident. The police have cautioned that until postmortem and forensic results arrive, they cannot definitively rule out other possibilities. 

Reactions & demands

The journalist fraternity, civil rights groups, and public voices have demanded a transparent, high-level investigation into whether Pratap’s reportage made him a target. His case has revived concerns about media safety, threats to journalists, and the vulnerability of investigative reporters in India.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister (Pushkar Singh Dhami) has been urged to oversee a credible inquiry. The family continues to press that the case be investigated rigorously, insist on accountability, and question discrepancies in the accident theory.

Significance & implications

This incident draws attention to the precarious conditions under which local journalists operate—especially when exposing alleged corruption or malpractice. The narrative of a missing journalist whose body is later recovered from a river is especially potent in terms of publicity, symbolizing a crisis for press freedom and safety. Key search terms likely to attract web traffic include: Uttarakhand journalist missing, body found river Uttarkashi, journalist threatened for story, foul play in journalist death, Delhi Uttarakhand Live, media safety India.

As forensic, digital, and procedural analyses proceed, the central question remains: Was Rajeev Pratap’s death a tragic accident or a silencing by force? The public, press community, and authorities await the postmortem, mobile data, CCTV clues, and a fair investigation to uncover the truth.