Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured that there will be no negligence in the probe into the death of journalist Pankaj Mishra.
Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh confirmed that two accused were arrested after long interrogation in connection with the fatal assault on the scribe. Police said forensic evidence and CCTV footage led to the arrest of Amit Sehgal and his associate, Parthosheel.
Pankaj Mishra’s wife, Laxmi Mishra, and his brother, Arvind Mishra, met Chief Minister Dhami and informed him about the circumstances leading to the journalist’s death. Expressing grief, the Chief Minister said his government stands firmly with the bereaved family and assured them of all possible support. He further added that strict legal action would be taken and no lapse would be tolerated.
Police said the arrests were made after examining forensic reports, CCTV footage and statements of witnesses.
The case relates to the December 15 incident, when miscreants allegedly forced their way into journalist Pankaj Mishra’s residence in Doon Vihar, Jakhan. The journalist was brutally assaulted during the intrusion. Later in the same night, he complained of severe chest pain and was taken to Doon Hospital in the early hours of December 16, where he was declared dead.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, Rajpur Police Station registered a case on the complaint of Mishra’s brother. The FIR named Amit Sehgal as the main accused and was registered under Sections 103, 304, 333 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
SSP Ajay Singh said the police launched a detailed probe immediately due to the sensitive nature of the case. A forensic team examined the crime spot, statements of the journalist’s wife and nearby residents were recorded, and CCTV footage from the area was thoroughly checked.
He added that police had received information about the assault the previous night and reached the spot, but no one wanted to initiate legal action at that time, so the team returned. The incident was reported again in the morning when Mishra was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Based on the post-mortem report, witness statements and sustained questioning, the police detained both accused on Wednesday.
According to the FIR, Amit Sehgal and his associates allegedly formed a group and forcibly entered Mishra’s house around 10 pm on December 15. They reportedly abused him and assaulted him violently with the intention to kill. Sehgal allegedly kicked and punched Mishra on his chest and abdomen, causing him to bleed from the mouth.
The complaint also stated that after the assault, Amit Sehgal took away the mobile phones of Pankaj Mishra and his wife while leaving the house. Police said that around 3 am on December 16, Mishra became unconscious after severe pain and was rushed to Doon Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
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