15th Jun 2021 10:06:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

If the death of television journalist Sulabh Srivastava has caused deep anguish among his comrades in the fourth estate across the country, what is utterly disgusting is Uttar Pradesh police’s ‘efforts’ to establish it as an accident. Anger will also be amplified since the police did nothing in response to the concern flagged by the journalist just a day before his death where he clearly mentioned his life was under threat due to his recent coverage that exposed the wrongdoings of a local liquor mafia. Finally, with the news becoming all-India within hours and condemnation following fast, the UP police registered a case of murder and criminal intimidation against unknown persons. Lives of journalists in the country have become so cheap that it will need a national ‘shame shame’ chorus for a case to be registered under appropriate sections of law. The Editors Guild of India in its reaction said: “shocked by the cavalier manner in which UP police is treating the mysterious death.” However, there is nothing to be shocked as such, since it has become the norm now- if something seriously unlawful practiced by an individual or organization ‘close’ to the ruling dispensation, be it anywhere is exposed, life of that particular journalist will never be easy and may even lead to the ultimate- liquidation.

Why the UP police steadfastly tried to construct the ‘accident’ narrative will require a separate round of investigation. Even those with a superficial knowledge about the criminal justice delivery mechanism in the country in general and particularly in cases where political hands are purportedly involved, must be knowledgeable about the ‘practice’ that such ‘concealment’ are intended to save somebody who acted at the behest of someone. In this case, going by prima facie findings, it will be difficult to firmly establish the accident angle not just due to the fact that the journalist had intimated the police that his life is under threat and sought help, but due to the photograph of his body taken immediately after the ‘accident’. How can a so-called accident victim’s shirt gets almost entirely removed and trousers unbuttoned and pulled down? Now that enough noise has been created, the UP police should unearth the truth through a thorough and unbiased investigation. However, the case is yet another disrepute for India, already ranked 142 among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2021 published last April by international NGO Reporters Without Borders. Earlier, in November 2020, UNESCO DG’s report that measured the global safety of journalists and the danger of impunity for crimes against them mentioned that 22 journalists have been killed in India since 2014.

If the death is really unnatural, culprits must be found out and justice delivered without delay.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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