Subhash Kumar Mahto was killed on May 20 when returning home from a wedding.
A journalist in Bihar's Begusarai was "shot dead" on May 20 outside his home in Sakho village, the Wire reported today.
The journalist, Subhash Kumar Mahto, was 26 and reportedly worked for a local news channel and an app, and also as a stringer. He was returning home from a wedding when he was shot "at close range". Mahto was taken to a government health centre where he was declared dead.
The Wire reported that, according to Mahto's family and friends, "his extensive reporting" on the sand and liquor mafia "and his active support for a ward member candidate in the panchayat elections led to his murder".
Mahto had allegedly supported a candidate in the elections, and the candidate went on to win.
Hindustan reported a similar version of events, suggesting a connection between Mahto's murder and the panchayat elections and his reportage on the "sand mafia".
However, the police dismissed these claims, telling the Wire that a "verbal spat during the wedding celebrations" could be behind the murder.
"Some local women were dancing when a group of youth joined in and they allegedly started misbehaving with the women. Mahto opposed this, so there was a verbal spat," the Wire quoted the station house officer as saying. "This may be the reason behind his murder."
The officer also said four accused have allegedly been "identified".
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
ContributeGeneral elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?