The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the death of 36-year-old digital journalist has concluded that it was a road accident caused by intoxication, police said on Thursday.
Rajiv Pratap was a resident of Dehradun but was living in Uttarkashi. He went missing on the night of September 18, and his body was found at the Joshiada Barrage on September 28, almost 10 days later.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Janak Panwar, who leads the SIT, told mediapersons that after reviewing the post-mortem report, CCTV footage, and statements from people close to Pratap, police have reached a preliminary conclusion that it was a road accident. He added that other aspects of the case are still being examined.
Panwar said on September 18, Pratap went out with his former student and cameraman Manbir Kaluda to meet Chief Constable Soban Singh, who was posted at the police lines. The three later visited the market and a taxi stand, where they drank alcohol until around 10 pm. Soban left for home in his car, but Pratap asked him to wait.
They then went to a hotel, where they bought more alcohol and had dinner. CCTV footage from the bus station later showed Pratap staggering out of the hotel at about 11 pm. Shortly after, Soban also left the hotel, and both got into his car. Soban left the car after some time, and Pratap moved to the driver’s seat. The footage showed no one else in the vehicle.
The car was later seen on CCTV cameras passing Badri Tiraha and Tekhala Bridge, and was last recorded heading toward Gangori at 11:38 pm. Panwar said beyond Gangori Bridge, CCTV cameras are present at bank ATMs and petrol pumps, but the car was not captured at any of these locations.
During questioning, Soban told police that he tried to stop Pratap from driving as he was drunk and rarely drove. Pratap, however, insisted, saying, "I'll go a little further, turn the car around and be back." Soban said he followed him on foot for some distance but could not trace him and thought that Pratap had gone to his sister’s house in Kot Bangla.
Police suspect that the car lost control near Gangori and plunged into the Bhagirathi River. The post-mortem report supports this theory, Panwar said.
Sub-Inspector and Investigating Officer Dilmohan Bisht inspected the recovered vehicle and found all doors locked, windows closed, the ignition on, and the keys in place. The boot was open, likely due to the impact of the crash.
Panwar added that if the driver had exited the car after switching off the ignition and locking the doors, the keys would not have been left inside. The locked windows also rule out the possibility of the car being locked from outside. A blue slipper was found inside after sand was removed, but no other significant evidence was found.
Meanwhile, Pratap’s family and the Congress party have expressed doubts about his death and called for an impartial investigation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the incident as "tragic and horrific" and said honest journalism lives in fear under BJP rule. Pratap’s father, Murari Lal, and other family members also said the journalist had received threats before his death.
Under mounting pressure, Uttarakhand Director General of Police Deepam Seth ordered the formation of the SIT, led by Panwar. Panwar reiterated that while the case appears to be an accident, the investigation is ongoing to explore all possible angles.
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