Uttarakhand journalist died in car accident after alleged drunken driving, claims probe

The Special Investigation Team probing the death of Uttarakhand journalist Rajiv Pratap has concluded that he died in a road accident caused by drunken driving, The Indian Express reported.

The 36-year-old journalist had gone missing on September 18. His damaged vehicle was recovered from the Bhagirathi riverbank on September 20, while his body was found near the Joshiyara barrage in state’s Uttarkashi district on September 28.

According to the probe team, Pratap met Head Constable Soban Singh and his former student and cameraman Manbir Kaluda near the Shaheed Smarak on the evening of September 18, PTI reported.

The three men drank alcohol near the taxi stand until about 10 pm. While Kaluda went home, Pratap and Singh went to a hotel near the bus stand and drank more alcohol, according to reports.

Security camera footage showed Pratap leaving the hotel unsteadily at about 11 pm, followed by Singh. Both entered Pratap’s car, but Singh got out shortly after. At 11.23 pm, Pratap was seen driving away alone, The Indian Express quoted the police as saying.

The car was last seen on security cameras at Gangori Bridge at 11.38 pm. It was found the next day downstream in the Bhagirathi River. A bag belonging to Singh was recovered about 600 metres from the bridge, near the spot from where...

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