Uttarkashi Police on Tuesday said their initial investigation and postmortem findings indicate no foul play in the death of journalist Rajiv Pratap. 
However, a special investigation team (SIT) led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Uttarkashi, has been formed to probe the family&rsquo;s claims that he had been receiving threats linked to his reporting.
The 36-year-old journalist&rsquo;s body was recovered on September 28 from the Joshiyara barrage of the Bhagirathi river, ten days after he went missing. 
Pratap, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, ran the YouTube channel Delhi Uttarakhand Live. 
His family alleged he was pressured to remove a video report on the Uttarkashi district hospital and had been receiving threats.
According to police, Rajiv was last seen on the night of September 18, after having dinner with his friend Soban Singh at a hotel near Uttarkashi bus stand. 
He later drove Singh&rsquo;s Alto car towards Gangori but never returned. The vehicle was found in the Bhagirathi river the next day. 
Based on a complaint from his uncle, Kripal Singh, an FIR was lodged on September 20 under Section 140(3) (kidnapping or abduction with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth said the SIT will re-examine all evidence, including CCTV footage, call records, electronic data, and the car&rsquo;s crash impact analysis. 
He confirmed the team will also investigate claims that Rajiv had been receiving threatening calls, though no prior complaint was officially lodged with the local police.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Uttarkashi, Sarita Dobhal, said, &ldquo;Our investigation so far and the autopsy report don&rsquo;t suggest foul play. However, we are verifying the family&rsquo;s allegations that Rajiv&rsquo;s death may be linked to threats over his reporting.&rdquo;
Police said CCTV footage placed Rajiv at the Uttarkashi bus stand around 11:20 pm on September 18, and later crossing the Gangori bridge at 11:39 pm, alone in the Alto. 
The car was later found in the river with slippers inside, keys still in place, and the ignition on. 
Investigators concluded the vehicle fell 50&ndash;55 meters from the Gangotri highway between Gangori and Garampani.
Rescue teams, including the police, SDRF, and NDRF, conducted continuous searches until Rajiv&rsquo;s body was recovered on September 28. 
The autopsy revealed no external assault injuries, but internal injuries to the chest and abdomen consistent with a crash, which doctors said were sufficient to cause death.
Rajiv&rsquo;s sister, Rajani Singh, said, &ldquo;He made enemies because of his fierce and public-oriented reporting. We suspect foul play.&rdquo; 
His uncle added, &ldquo;He was recently threatened to take down a video on Uttarkashi hospital.&rdquo;
The SIT will submit its findings after completing a detailed investigation into all possible angles.

Journalist’s car recovered from Bhagirathi river

Uttarkashi Police rule out foul play, SIT to probe family’s claims of threats to Rajiv

Uttarkashi Journalist’s Death: SIT To Probe Case

Uttarkashi Police rule out foul play, SIT to probe family’s claims of threats to Rajiv

October 1, 2025 | 12:06 IST