The driver of the truck, which mowed down journalist Sandeep Sharma in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district on the morning of 26 March, was arrested later same day. Sharma, who worked for a national TV news channel, had reported on a government officer being in collusion with the sand mafia.
Sharma, as captured on a CCTV footage, was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a dumper from behind near the Kotwali police station.
A Special Investigation Team was formed to probe the case, after family members and other journalists alleged that Sharma had been murdered, reported The Indian Express.
MP CM Chouhan Assures Strict Action
Taking cognisance of the matter, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured strict action against the culprits.
Security of journalists is our priority, and strict action will be taken against the culprits.Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia hit out at the BJP over the journalist’s death and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.
He was killed in broad daylight. Nothing less than a CBI inquiry should be done. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and that is being crushed under the BJP’s rule.Jyotiraditya Scindia to ANI
Sharma had earlier approached the police citing an immediate threat to his life following the publication of the story, Times of India reported.
Sharma had acquired an audio clip where the officer was purportedly taking bribes in turn for allowing vehicles carrying illegally mined sand to pass through checkpoints, without inspection. The officer was transferred from the post, after the clip was aired by the channel.
“Sharma’s death is highly suspicious and should be probed thoroughly,” Bhind Press Club President Sathyanarayan Sharma told TOI.
Earlier, two journalists were crushed to death by a speeding SUV in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Sunday, 25 March, Dainik Bhaskar reported. They were allegedly run over by the car of the village council head and his men in Bhojpur, around 80 km from Patna.
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