Chouhan orders CBI inquiry into death of journalist run over by truck

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of journalist Sandeep Sharma whose family and colleagues as well the opposition Congress alleged he had been murdered .

Sharma, credited with exposing a nexus between police and the sand mining mafia in the state’s Chambal region, was on his way to the Press Club in Bhind on his motorcycle when a dumper truck hit him from behind. The 35-year-old died on the spot while the truck driver sped away.

Government officials said Chouhan announced the decision to recommend a CBI inquiry during a meeting with top officials, including chief secretary BP Singh, director general of police Rishi Kumar Shukla, and others. At the meeting, the law and order situation in the state was discussed. Inspector general of police (Chambal division) Santosh Singh said Bhind police had arrested the truck owner, Bhaskar Sharma, a resident of Gwalior, and were interrogating him.

“The driver told police that he was taking the truck to a garage for repair when the accident took place. We are checking the veracity of his statement,” he added.

Sharma, who worked with the News World channel, had been fearful he would either be killed in a road accident or implicated on false charges, and had written to police about his concerns in November. He carried out a sting operation on alleged links between the sand mining mafia and the police in July-August last year that was aired by his channel in October.

The local SP shifted a few police officers and personnel after footage of the operation was aired but no disciplinary action was taken. No security cover was provided to Sharma even after the threat perception.

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