Ghaziabad:

A journalist from Uttar Pradesh, who was shot at in Ghaziabad near Delhi on Monday night in front of his two daughters, died this morning at a hospital. The shocking attack on journalist Vikram Joshi near his home was captured on a CCTV footage. The journalist’s death has triggered sharp reactions from several opposition leaders such as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 

He was travelling on a motorcycle with his two daughters when a group of men assaulted him and opened fire at him at around 10:30 PM. He was taken to a nearby hospital where his condition was said to be critical.

Nine accused have been arrested so far in the case; one man is still on run, officials said. Two policemen have been suspended. “Nine people have been arrested including two main accused – Ravi and Chotu. A weapon was also seized from their possession,” Kalanidhi Naithani, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh was announced by the state government after the family and several journalists held a sit-in outside the hospital this morning, refusing to allow the officials concerned to take Vikram Joshi’s body for post-mortem.

Vikram Joshi paid the price of police’s incompetence with his life, the family claimed.  He was attacked four days after he complained to the police about his niece being harassed by a group of men.

Ghaziabad: A group of journalists hold protest against the murder of Journalist Vikram Joshi.

Vikram Joshi passed away today. He was shot at in Vijay Nagar area on 20th July by unknown persons. 10 people have been arrested in the case so far. pic.twitter.com/TZjjiMqv00

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 22, 2020

In the shocking footage, which captured the Monday night’s attack, a group of men can be seen stopping the journalist in Vijay Nagar area of Ghaziabad.

A chilling footage captured the Monday night’s attack on journalist Vikram Joshi. 

The bike can be seen swerving suddenly and in no time, the attackers surround the bike and then they pull him and hit him. The two daughters can be seen running in panic. The group of attackers can be seen dragging Vikram Joshi towards a car and thrashing him before running away from the spot.

As the injured journalist falls to the ground, one of the daughters comes back to him; she can be seen crying and looking around for help.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today reacted to the journalist’s death in a tweet. “Vikram Joshi was killed because he protested against his niece’s harassment. Condolences to the bereaved family. They promised Ram Rajya and delivered Goondaraj,” the 50-year-old leader wrote, attacking the Yogi Adityanath government.

“Across the state of Uttar Pradesh, the way killings, crimes against women are on a rise, it makes it clear that that the law of jungle is prevailing in the state. More than coronavirus, people have become vulnerable because of the virus of crime. The government should pay heed,” BSP chief Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.  

“My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece’s molesters. An atmosphere of fear has has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking (sic),” West Bengal Chief Miinister Mamata Banerjee tweeted. 

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece’s molesters. An atmosphere of fear has has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 22, 2020

Yesterday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also criticised the UP government over the attack. “If this is the law and order situation in Ghaziabad, which is in NCR, you can understand how bad the situation is across Uttar Pradesh. A journalist was shot at because he had filed a complaint about his niece being harassed. As the law of jungle prevails, how can an ordinary citizen feel safe?” she had tweeted in Hindi.