UP journalist shot in front of his daughter dies; nine arrested

UP journalist shot in front of his daughter dies; nine arrested

An Uttar Pradesh based journalist who was shot in Ghaziabad near Delhi on Monday night in front of his two daughters died on Wednesday. The victim, Vikram Joshi was travelling with his two daughters on a motorcycle when a group of men open fired at him around 10:30 pm on Monday.

A CCTV camera captured the attack and showed Joshi lying on the road with one of his daughter screaming for help and sobbing. The seriously injured journalist was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad’s Nehru Nagar. His condition was critical on Tuesday as he had grave bullet injuries. Though he was put on ventilator after his condition deteriorated, he succumbed to injuries. Nine people in connection with killing have also been arrested with one person still on the run.

The family of the deceased alleged that the attack on Joshi was connected to a police complaint made against a group of men harassing his niece. Aniket Joshi, Vikram Joshi’s brother said that on July 16 they submitted a complaint to the Vijay Nagar police station but no action was taken. The Uttar Pradesh police suspended two police due to inaction, station-in-charge was suspended and a departmental inquiry was initiated.

This incident led to Opposition leaders slamming Yogi Adityanath government for declining law and order in the state. Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi, “As he complained against the misbehaviour towards his niece, Vikram Joshi was killed. They promised Ram Rajya, instead, they gave Gunda Rajya”.

While West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamta Banarjee tweeted, “My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece’s molesters. An atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking”.

BSP leader Mayawati also attacked BJP and tweeted in Hindi, "Serious crimes are increasing in Uttar Pradesh, including murder and against women, it is clear that the jungle raj is prevailing in the state rather than the law. In Uttar Pradesh, more than coronavirus, crime virus dominates the region. The public is affected by this. The government must pay attention to the issue”.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh government announced Rs 10 Lakh financial aid for the family of the journalist.

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