
Journalist found in river after late-night drive with cop died in car accident according to probe team
According to the special investigation team (SIT) of the Uttarakhand Police, journalist Rajiv Pratap was believed to have been intoxicated before being involved in a car accident and falling into a river on September 18. The 36-year-old, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, was known for his YouTube channel, Delhi Uttarakhand Live. His body was discovered on September 28 at the Joshiyara Barrage after being reported missing on September 19 in Uttarkashi. While Pratap's family suspects foul play due to his recent investigative journalism on the Uttarkashi district hospital and alleged threats, the police have asserted that his death occurred as a result of the car accident. The SIT revealed that on the night of September 18, Pratap had consumed alcohol with Head Constable Soban Singh near Shaheed Smarak behind Police Lines in Uttarkashi. Pratap, Singh, and Pratap's cameraman, Manveer Kaluda, later continued drinking at a taxi stand. Surveillance footage captured Pratap driving towards Gangori around 11:23 pm, eventually leading to a series of locations before the car was no longer recorded on cameras. Singh had advised against Pratap driving due to his inebriated state but to no avail, as Pratap drove off alone. The investigation also mentioned that Pratap's car was discovered near the Gangori bridge with Singh's bag located nearby, suggesting that the car may have plummeted over the edge into the river below. The officers rejected claims of foul play after conducting a postmortem that concluded Pratap had died from injuries sustained during the accident. Although the SIT continued to collect evidence from the scene, Pratap's family criticized the police for prematurely concluding the case and questioned the investigation process.
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