Pratapgarh, Jun 14 (UNI) A journalist associated with private news channel ABP, Sulabh Srivastava was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Katra area of the district on late Sunday night.
Though the preliminary investigation of the police claim that the death was due to a road accident but the family member of the deceased said it was a planned murder by the liquor mafias of the district.
A day back, the deceased had sought security from ADG Prayagraj following a threat from the liquor mafias on whom he had made several reports.
The journalist, 45, in a letter to the police said that for the past several days some people were stalking him everywhere.
However, ASP Surendra Dwivedi said that the journalist was returning on his motorcycle to Pratapgarh from Lalganj when in the Katra area he was found injured on the side of the road. Some labourers informed the police and he was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead.
The police officer said the preliminary probe said that the deceased hit a hand pump and an electric pole which led to the injury.
But he said further investigation was underway.Meanwhile, the family members alleged that there was a severe injury mark on the body of the deceased while he was found half-naked, which proves that it was a pre-planned murder.
While the family said the body was found at a brick kiln but police claimed it was found on the side of the road.
UNI
