Guwahati: Breaking away from the usual lethargy often seen in addressing crimes against journalists in India, police authorities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have taken prompt action to investigate the killings of media persons reported since January 1, 2025. The media community has welcomed the swift response and expressed hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, ensuring closure for the victims’ families.
In a recent incident, online journalist Sahadev Dey was murdered in the Diglipur area of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The local police have arrested all four accused involved in the brutal killing. Authorities claimed a breakthrough in the case, which occurred on March 29, 2025, with the arrest of S. Gangaya, A. Rama Subramaniyan, M. Ramesh, and Bithika Mallick.
According to a statement endorsed by Shweta K Sugathan, District Police Chief of North & Middle Andaman, the victim’s wife, Debadriti Dey, filed a missing person complaint on March 30, reporting that her husband, a reporter with digital platform News Republic Andaman, had gone missing. Dey was known for his outspoken reporting on illegal timber smuggling, soil mining, hooch trade, and gambling in his locality. Acting swiftly, Diglipur Police utilized technical and human intelligence and recovered Dey’s burnt body from the DB Gram area the next day.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Gangaya, a local bar and restaurant owner, masterminded the murder and enlisted three others to execute the crime and destroy evidence. All accused have been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues. Police have urged the public to share any credible information through official contact numbers, assuring confidentiality and appropriate rewards.
In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, journalist Raghavendra Vajpayee (40), a correspondent for a leading Hindi daily and an RTI activist, was murdered on March 8. Police have arrested three suspects so far—Vikas Rathore (alias Shivanand Baba), believed to be the mastermind, along with Nirmal Singh and Aslam Ghazi. Two additional suspects remain under investigation.
Similarly, in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (30), founder of the digital platform Bastar Junction, was found murdered on January 3. Chandrakar had been actively reporting on the alleged misappropriation of government funds by contractors and officials. The police arrested contractor Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused, along with Ritesh, Mahendra, and Dinesh. A comprehensive 1,200-page charge sheet has since been filed in court.
It is worth noting that the prosecution and conviction rate for journalist killings in India remains alarmingly low—especially in cases directly linked to their professional work. Despite arrests, justice is often delayed due to inefficiencies in investigations and delays in filing charge sheets. Many perpetrators go unpunished, emboldening further attacks on journalists.
This concern extends globally. According to UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed Journalists, over 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide since 1993 for doing their job. In 90% of these cases, the killers have not been brought to justice. The observatory states that impunity encourages more violence and reflects deeper issues like conflict, judicial breakdowns, and lawlessness. Beyond killings, journalists face threats ranging from kidnapping and torture to harassment, particularly in digital spaces.
.
