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MP: Truck mows down journalist fighting sand mafia

MP: Truck mows down journalist fighting sand mafia

Mar 26, 2018
05:06 pm

What's the story

Reminding yet again that India is unsafe for journalists, a stringer for a news channel was mowed down in broad daylight in MP's Bhind district this morning. Sandeep Sharma, a journalist with News World channel, had conducted two stings to expose corruption in police. Sharma, who had also reported on the sand mafia, had sought police protection citing a threat to his life.

Twitter Post

The chilling moment captured on CCTV camera

Details

Police have seized truck but driver managed to flee

The chilling moment he was run over was captured on CCTV camera. Sharma was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed during treatment. While seeking police protection, Sharma had accused a sub-divisional police officer of conniving with sand mafia members. Police said they have seized the truck, but the driver is absconding. A case of death by negligence has been registered.

Vyapam

With 50 Vyapam deaths, MP is not known for safety

CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured strict action against the culprit, while Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia demanded a CBI enquiry. Incidentally, 50 people connected to MP's Vyapam scam, including journalists, have died mysteriously since it was unearthed in 2013. Presently, over 50 cases are pending at Bhopal's Special Vyapam Scam Branch. For now, police have formed a special investigation team to probe Sharma's death.

Data

At least 30 Indian journalists killed since 1992

Last year saw several murders of mediapersons, including that of senior journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru, two local reporters in Tripura and one in UP. Available data suggests at least 30 journalists have been killed in India since 1992.