UP Journalist died, was threatened by Liquor Mafia, police calling it 'accident'

A UP Journalist, Sulabh Srivastava has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. The incident took place in UP's Pratapgarh on Sunday. had written a letter to ADG Prayagraj two days before he was found dead, alleging that the liquor mafia was unhappy with his news reporting and there was a threat to his life. However, the death of the journalist is being considered an accident by the police.

The additional superintendent of police, East Pratapgarh, said, “The ABP journalist Sulabh Srivastava was coming back to Pratapgarh after covering news.  He was injured after falling from his motorcycle near a brick kiln. He was helped by labourers present on the spot and his family members were also informed about the incident. An ambulance was also called on the spot after which he was taken to the district hospital where he was declared brought dead. A police team later visited the accident spot and prima facie, it was found that the bike slipped and collided with a pole and a hand pump. We are investigating the matter.”

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while attacking the UP government, tweeted, “The liquor mafia is rampant in the state from Aligarh to Pratapgarh but the UP government is silent. Journalists should expose the truth, warn the administration about the danger but the government is asleep. Does the UP government, which nurtures Jungle Raj, have any answer to the tears of the family members of journalist Sulabh Srivastava?”

Samajwadi Party spokesperson and MLC, Sunil Singh Sajan has also slammed the state government over the issue. “In Pratapgarh, even after informing the ADG police in writing, the police are unable to give any protection to the journalist who writes against the liquor mafia. Mahants of BJP government who worship criminals, rapists @myogiadityanath, with which face do you go to other states and speak on lawlessness?” he tweeted.