Dehradun: The death of senior journalist Pankaj Mishra has shocked Uttarakhand’s media fraternity and raised troubling questions about violence linked to social media disputes.
Mishra, who was allegedly assaulted at his home in Jakhan on December 15, died hours later at Doon Hospital. Police have arrested Amit Sehgal (51), a digital news platform operator, and Parthosheel (45) from Mumbai, in connection with the case.
दिवंगत वरिष्ठ पत्रकार श्री पंकज मिश्रा की पत्नी श्रीमती लक्ष्मी मिश्रा तथा उनके भाई श्री अरविंद मिश्रा ने मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी से भेंट की। इस दौरान उन्होंने दिवंगत पत्रकार से जुड़े घटनाक्रम की जानकारी मुख्यमंत्री को दी।
मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने गहरा शोक… pic.twitter.com/POAkax0QeS
— Uttarakhand DIPR (@DIPR_UK) December 18, 2025
Senior journalist was allegedly abused and attacked by Amit
The FIR was lodged by Pankaj’s brother Arvind Mishra, a resident of Lucknow. It alleges that Amit Sehgal, along with associates, formed a gang and reached Pankaj’s house around 10 pm. They reportedly abused him and attacked him with kicks and punches on his chest and stomach. One of the accused allegedly instigated others to target Pankaj’s weak organs, knowing he was a heart and liver patient.
According to the complaint, the attackers also snatched Pankaj’s mobile phone. When his wife Lakshmi tried to call the police, she was assaulted and her phone was taken away. Lakshmi claims she recorded the incident, but the accused fled with the device.
देहरादून में पत्रकार पंकज मिश्रा की रहस्यमय मौत कई सवाल खड़े करती है। फेसबुक पोस्ट से उपजा विवाद, माफी मांगते हुए पोस्ट डिलीट करना और दोस्तों से झगड़ा, बड़ा अजीब घटनाक्रम है। @pankajchhetri_ और @SujataIndia1st लगातार इस मुद्दे को उठा रहे हैं। उम्मीद है सही जांच होगी @bhadasmedia pic.twitter.com/uBhjaGeD52
— Ajeet Singh (@geoajeet) December 17, 2025
Health deteriorated, declared dead
The FIR states that Pankaj managed to inform police using a passerby’s phone. Officers arrived but postponed action until morning. At around 3 am on December 16, Pankaj complained of severe pain, collapsed, and was rushed to Doon Hospital by neighbors and family. Doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Case registered under IPC
Police registered the case under sections 103, 304, 333, and 352 of the Indian Penal Code. A search was launched, and late Wednesday evening, the main accused Amit Sehgal and Parthosheel were arrested.
Social media post at the center of dispute
Investigators believe the dispute began with a social media post made by Pankaj, which angered some of his journalist colleagues. Though Pankaj later deleted the post and apologized, the disagreement escalated into heated phone arguments and eventually a violent confrontation at his home. Police are still examining what the post contained and whether it directly triggered the assault.
Post‑mortem controversy
The case has also been clouded by questions over the post‑mortem. The first examination at Coronation Hospital did not, according to family members, adequately reflect the internal injuries caused by the assault. Dissatisfied, they demanded a second post‑mortem by a panel of doctors. This was conducted on Wednesday, and a detailed report is awaited.
The case has stirred debate about the dangers of online disputes spilling into real‑world violence. For Uttarakhand’s journalist community, the death of Pankaj Mishra is a grim reminder of the risks faced by those in the profession. Police say further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.