New Delhi, March 11, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Indian authorities to maintain full transparency in their investigation into the killing of journalist Raghvendra Bajpai, who was shot dead March 8 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, and determine whether the journalist was targeted in connection with his work.
“Authorities in Uttar Pradesh must thoroughly investigate Bajpai’s killing and determine whether it was linked to his reporting exposing alleged malpractices,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi. “The continued violence against journalists, especially in smaller towns in India, must not be met with impunity. Those responsible for Bajpai’s killing must be brought to justice.”
Around 2:30 p.m., Bajpai, 35, a correspondent for the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, left his home in Uttar Pradesh for a meeting, according to a police first information report, based on a complaint filed by his wife, Rashmi. An hour later, he was shot multiple times by unidentified assailants on an overbridge and was later declared dead at a district hospital.
Bajpai’s family believes he was targeted over his investigative reporting on paddy procurement irregularities and stamp duty evasion, multiple outlets reported.
The case has been registered under separate sections pertaining to murder, which carries a maximum penalty of death or a life sentence, and wrongful restraint.
Authorities have questioned at least 25 people in connection with the killing, but no arrests have been made. Police told CPJ they are not ruling out any motive, including Bajpai’s reporting, as a potential cause.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2025-03-11T15:48:23+00:00) Indian journalist shot dead after reporting on land scam. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2025/03/11/indian-journalist-shot-dead-after-reporting-on-land-scam/
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