Journalist Rajeev Pratap Dies After Exposing Uttarakhand Neglect

Rajeev Pratap, an independent journalist, who used to run his YouTube channel ‘Delhi Uttarakhand Live’, highlighted neglect in Uttarakhand’s villages, including his latest video of the Trauma Centre at Uttarkashi, which he called “more like a madiralaya (liquor house).”

He went missing days after uploading the video on September 16, later his body was found in the Bhagirathi River on September 27. Police label it as a road accident caused by intoxication but his seven months pregnant wife told the media that Rajeev used to receive threats and warnings.

Rajeev’s reporting exposed hardships in Uttarakhand villages, including poor roads, non-functional streetlights, stalled water supply, broken ATMs in Brahmkhal, and government scheme failures.

Rajeev also documented corruption and mismanagement, such as the replacement of ancient idols by private family members in Chamoli, and questioned politicians on projects like the Jal Jeevan Mission, continuing his work despite threats.

His friend, Shitli Jaishal told Decode “He often spoke of building something larger, a platform that could employ young reporters and give them the opportunities he himself had long hoped for.”