Scindia demands inquiry into journalist’s death in Bhind, MP

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress MP for Guna, Madhya Pradesh, and several commentators have demanded an enquiry into the death of journalist Sandeep Sharma, crushed by a truck in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh on Monday. Media outlets played what they said is CCTV footage of the moment in which the truck suddenly veered to its left and hit Sharma’s two-wheeler, knocking him into its path and crushing him. The journalist was reportedly covering activities by the sand mafia in the state.

“He was killed in broad daylight. Nothing less than a CBI inquiry should be done. Media is the 4th pillar of democracy [and] that is being crushed under BJP's rule,” alleged Scindia.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan claimed to media that “Security of journalists is our priority [and] strict action will be taken against the culprit."

MP Police have reportedly formed a SIT team to investigate the death. Commentators lashed out at MP Police and the BJP government after it came to light that Sharma had complained to police about threats to his life.