The Aryavarth Express
Dehradun (Uttarakhand):
In a significant breakthrough in the death case of journalist Pankaj Mishra, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh has confirmed the arrest of two accused following extensive investigation and interrogation.
In a recorded statement, SSP Ajay Singh said that Amit Sehgal—named in the FIR—and his associate Parthosheel, a resident of Mumbai, have been taken into custody. The arrests were made after police examined forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and recorded statements from witnesses.
“Both the accused will be produced before the court on Wednesday,” the SSP said.
The case relates to an incident on the night of December 15, when a group of miscreants allegedly forcefully entered Mishra’s residence in Doon Vihar, Jakhan. The journalist was reportedly assaulted during the intrusion. In the early hours of December 16, Mishra complained of severe chest pain and was rushed to Doon Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Following the incident, Rajpur Police Station registered a case based on a complaint filed by Mishra’s brother. The FIR named Amit Sehgal as the main accused and invoked Sections 103 (punishment for murder), 304 (snatching), 333 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
SSP Singh said police launched a detailed investigation considering the sensitivity of the case. “A forensic team inspected the crime scene, statements of the deceased journalist’s wife and nearby residents were recorded, and CCTV footage from the surrounding areas was thoroughly examined,” he said.
He added that police had initially responded to a complaint on the night of the assault, but no one chose to pursue legal action at that time. “The same incident was reported again in the morning when the victim was found unconscious and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead,” the SSP said.
Based on the post-mortem report, witness statements, and sustained questioning, police arrested both accused on Wednesday.
According to the FIR, Amit Sehgal, along with others, allegedly formed a group and entered Pankaj Mishra’s house around 10 pm on December 15. The accused are alleged to have verbally abused Mishra and physically assaulted him with the intent to kill. The complaint states that Sehgal repeatedly punched and kicked Mishra on his chest and abdomen, causing him to bleed from the mouth.
The FIR further alleges that the accused took away the mobile phones of Mishra and his wife while fleeing the scene.
