Journalist Death: Andhra Police Begins Probe, International Press Institute Demands Accused Constable’s Arrest

The suspended constable and his brother called the journalist near a local dhaba in Nandyal earlier on Sunday where they allegedly stabbed him to death.

Kurnool: The Andhra Pradesh police has begun its investigation into the murder of local TV channel EV5 reporter Chennakeshavalu, who was allegedly stabbed to death by a suspended police constable and his brother in the state’s Kurnool district.

The suspended constable and his brother called the journalist near a local dhaba in Nandyal earlier on Sunday where they allegedly stabbed him to death.

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The Andhra Pradesh Police on Monday ordered an investigation into the death of the reporter, who reportedly exposed the accused police constable’s corruption.

Ordering an inquiry into the matter, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Gautam Sawang issued orders to arrest the suspended constable and others involved in the murder at the earliest

Kurnool Superintendent of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy told the media that a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been filed against the accused constable and his brother.

Reddy, who has been directed by the state’s top cop to ensure stringent action against the accused, added that that two teams of police personnel have been formed to nab the accused.

Meanwhile, the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, journalists and media executives, have called upon the Andhra Pradesh government to immediately arrest and hold to account those responsible for the reporter’s killing.

“A local journalist in the Kurnool district of India's Andhra Pradesh state was reportedly stabbed to death yesterday. The journalist had exposed the constable's alleged criminal activity. Authorities must immediately arrest the perpetrators,” IPI posted on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

International Press Institute Deputy Director Scott Griffen said the “authorities in Andhra Pradesh must immediately arrest those responsible for the murder” of the reporter.

“This terrible killing underscores the threat that Indian journalists face when they expose corruption involving government officials and people in power. Impunity for crimes against journalists is extremely high in India and several cases of journalists’ murders have not been thoroughly investigated,” he added.