Uttarakhand Journalist Missing For 10 Days Found Dead In River, Family Alleges Foul Play

Last Updated:September 30, 2025, 20:30 IST

While authorities said that a probe is underway to ascertain the cause of his death, the family of the late journalist has alleged foul play

Uttarakhand Journalist Rajeev Pratap found dead in river | Image: X

The body of journalist Rajeev Pratap, missing for ten days, was recovered from a river on Sunday in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi, said officials on Tuesday.

While authorities said that a probe is underway to ascertain the cause of his death, his family alleged foul play, claiming he was being threatened over a story he had uploaded on his YouTube channel.

Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth said, “On September 19, the police received information about the case and immediately began a search operation. All available CCTV footage from the city was examined. SDRF and NDRF teams were also roped in.”

“On September 20, the vehicle in which Rajeev had travelled was recovered. Based on the family’s request, an FIR of abduction was registered. A special investigation team, headed by the Deputy SP, has been constituted to probe the matter further,” he said.

According to Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobhal, Rajeev, 36, met with an accident, after which his car fell into the Bhagirathi River.

The vehicle was retrieved on September 19, but his body was likely swept downstream and was found at Joshiyara Barrage on Sunday.

“Prima facie, his car fell into a gorge and into the river, which had swelled at the time. CCTV footage shows him alone in the vehicle shortly before the incident. We are awaiting the postmortem report to confirm the exact cause of death,” the SP said.

Rajeev’s wife, Muskan, said she last spoke to him around 11 pm on the day he went missing.

“He told me he was anxious after posting reports about a hospital and a school on his YouTube channel, Delhi Uttarakhand Live. He said he was receiving threats to take down the videos. After 11:50 pm, my messages went undelivered. I am certain he did not simply fall off the road,” she alleged.

Police said Rajeev was seen alone near a bus stop in his Alto car on September 18 around 11:20 pm.

The next day, his car was found mangled in the river near Gangori.

During inspection in the presence of family members, one slipper was recovered inside the vehicle. The body, later identified by his family, was retrieved at Joshiyara Barrage, and a postmortem has been conducted.

The family had filed a missing person complaint after Rajeev left for Gangori-Bhatwari on September 18.

“Rajeev Pratap is a well-known journalist from Uttarkashi who runs a channel called Delhi Uttarakhand Live. Many people in the area hold enmity against him. We fear some untoward incident may have happened. Please help us in locating him at the earliest,” the complaint read.

An FIR was registered at the Uttarkashi Kotwali police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to abduction.

The incident has drawn national attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemning the circumstances surrounding Rajeev’s death. In a tweet, he wrote:

“The disappearance and subsequent death of journalist Rajeev Pratap is not just tragic but horrifying. Honest journalism today lives under fear and insecurity. Threats and violence are being used to silence those who raise the truth. An impartial and transparent investigation is urgently needed, and the family deserves justice without delay,” he wrote on X.

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