A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the death of Kerala journalist SV Pradeep, is on the lookout for a vehicle which hit him. It was on Monday that Thiruvananthapuram-based journalist was hit by a truck and died. The SIT was formed after allegations were raised that his death took place under suspicious circumstances.
Speaking to TNM, officials of the SIT said that the only information available was that the vehicle which hit Pradeep was an SML truck (Swaraj Mazda). “We are searching across the district for the truck. We have not yet received any other information, and that includes the vehicle number of the truck,” an official of the SIT told TNM.
In the CCTV visuals of the accident which surfaced from Karakkamandapam in Thiruvananthapuram, the truck can be seen coming from behind Pradeep’s two wheeler, and seemingly overtaking him. However, when the truck moved further forward, Pradeep’s vehicle can be seen lying on the road. Though Pradeep was rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Watch video of the accident:
After the news of his death, Kerala Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala came out raising allegations that there was something amiss about the death of the journalist. He demanded a high-level enquiry.
Pradeep, who passed out from Kerala University and the Institute of Journalism of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, had worked in Malayalam news channels like MediaOne, Manorama News, Kairali TV, Jaihind, Mangalam and News18. Presently, he was running an online channel named Bharathlive. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Last year in August, another Thiruvananthapuram-based journalist KM Basheer was killed in an accident. Kerala IAS officer Sreeram Venkitaraman, who is alleged to have driven the vehicle which hit Basheer, is the key accused in the controversial case and is booked under various charges including culpable homicide and drunken driving.