Uttarakhand Police have initiated legal action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against an individual named Amit Sehgal. This move is directly connected to the tragic death of journalist Pankaj Mishra, who succumbed to injuries hours after a brutal attack inside his Dehradun residence.
Details of the Violent Assault
According to reports, the violent incident unfolded on the night of December 15 at Mishra's home located in the Doon Vihar area of Jakhan. Based on a formal complaint lodged by the journalist's brother, the FIR details a harrowing sequence of events. It states that Amit Sehgal, accompanied by several unidentified associates, forcibly entered the house around 10 pm.
The intruders then launched a vicious physical assault on Pankaj Mishra. The accused allegedly subjected Mishra to verbal abuse and a barrage of punches and kicks. The attackers repeatedly targeted his chest and abdomen, with the complainant asserting the intention was to kill. During the assault, Mishra reportedly began bleeding from the mouth. Before fleeing the scene, Sehgal is accused of taking away the mobile phones belonging to Mishra and his wife.
Collapse and Subsequent Death
Following the attack, Pankaj Mishra complained of severe chest pain later that same night. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he collapsed around 3 am on December 16. He was immediately rushed to Doon Hospital for emergency medical attention. However, the doctors at the hospital could not save him and declared him dead.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Rajpur police station has registered a formal case in this matter. The charges have been framed under several sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically Sections 103, 304, 333, and 352. A thorough probe into the incident has been launched by the authorities.
Police officials have confirmed that active efforts are currently underway to trace the other accused individuals who were part of the assault. The investigation aims to establish the complete sequence of events that led to the journalist's untimely death and to uncover the motive behind the fatal attack.
