The IPI global network calls on authorities to conduct a thorough and fact-based investigation into the killing of 聽journalist Subhash Kumar Mahto in the village of Sakho in the Begusarai district of India on May 20. Authorities must determine the motive for this murder and prosecute those responsible.
Mahto in the head from close range by four assailants while walking near his home after attending a wedding dinner with his father and other relatives, according to reports. The assailants fled the scene. He was taken to a local medical facility where he was declared dead.聽
Mahto had been working as a journalist for four years. He was affiliated with local cable channel and video application , where he shared his reports.聽
Mahto鈥檚 colleagues believe he was killed in retaliation for his work. He had reported on local mafias in the area, according to . A representative of the Begusarai District Journalists Association also told that Mahto鈥檚 reporting was most likely the reason behind his killing.
According to, the police identified two suspects, who fled when authorities arrived at their residence to arrest them. Authorities then bulldozed the suspects鈥� residence, which caused outrage in the local community. The suspects remain at large.聽
鈥淲hile we welcome a swift investigation by authorities, we also urge police to conduct a careful and fact-based investigation into the killing of Subhash Kumar Mahto, taking care to respect the rule of law鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淧olice must determine the motive for this murder and then ensure that those responsible for this crime are brought to justice.鈥澛�
鈥淭he killing of Subhas Kumar Mahto in Begusarai once more spotlights the vulnerability of journalists in smaller towns and villages in India who work to expose land and liquor mafias 鈥� some of the most powerful forces at play鈥�, Laxmi Murthy, co-founder of Mumbai-based non-profit Free Speech Collective, said. 鈥淭he impunity with journalists being killed only emboldens those who seek to silence those who tell truth to power鈥�, she added.聽