In another shocking incident of failing our daughters and their families, a man just lost his life while saving his niece from the harassment. On Monday, Vikram Joshi, a journalist from Uttar Pradesh was shot in front of his daughters in Ghaziabad. The hospital declared him dead earlier today.
As per NDTV, there has been a CCTV footage that captures the journalist, Vikram Joshi, lying on the road, wounded, and one of his daughters weeping, screaming around for help.
As reported, Joshi was reportedly riding a bike when a group of men opened fire at him. This incident happened at around 10:30 PM on Monday. He was with his daughters at that time.
The police officials told reporters that 9 of the 10 accused have been nabbed but one is still on the run. Kalanidhi Naithani, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad spoke to reporters and said:
“Nine people have been arrested including two main accused – Ravi and Chotu. A weapon was also seized from their possession.
But, what is heartbreaking is the fact that just 4 days before the attack, Joshi had complained to the police about his niece being harassed by a group of men. As per the family, Vikram Joshi paid the price of police incompetence.
In the CCTV footage circulating online, the attackers can be seen dragging Joshi towards a car and thrashing him before running away from the spot. One of his daughters who came to help him is seen crying and looking around for help in the footage.
Journalist Vikram Joshi succumbed to bullet injury. Died in the hospital early morning today. Paid with his life for raising voice against goons harassing his niece.
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 22, 2020
UP, Ghaziabad. https://t.co/z7EkjQrD16
Angry netizens took to Twitter to share their sharp reactions about the inefficiency of law & order machinery in Uttar Pradesh.
His only “mistake” was that he wanted to protect his family from the goons that the government allows to roam freely.
— Vivaan Bakshi (@VivaanBakshi) July 22, 2020
This is utterly disgraceful and horrifying. A man shot for protecting his niece. In front of his 5 and 11 yr old daughters ? The sheer lack of protection and security in our country is terrifying. #VikramJoshi pic.twitter.com/wyH5GhEahy
— Ankita (@_downandirty_) July 22, 2020
Those police men should also be charged who didn’t do anything evn after 4-5 days of complaint filed by Vikram Joshi but later caught the culprits in hours after they shot Vikram Joshi and the news got media attention… Aren’t they equally responsible for his murder
— Momzo (@kanyalsm) July 22, 2020
Why to mince words or be politically correct?
— smita awasthi (@smitawasthi) July 22, 2020
A journalist was killed brutally by few who are confident that law can not harm them, and they will be able to make their way through eventually.
A part of system or lack of it, however major or minor, is feeding these criminals.
This is so sad.. especially for those little girls! to see your father being attacked and shot dead and then having to find help for him in the middle of the night!!! So, so sad!!
— petrohead_ (@petrohead3) July 22, 2020
This is so sad.. especially for those little girls! to see your father being attacked and shot dead and then having to find help for him in the middle of the night!!! So, so sad!!
— petrohead_ (@petrohead3) July 22, 2020
Ghaziabad: A group of journalists hold protest against the murder of Journalist Vikram Joshi.
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 22, 2020
Vikram Joshi passed away today. He was shot at in Vijay Nagar area on 20th July by unknown persons. 10 people have been arrested in the case so far. pic.twitter.com/TZjjiMqv00
As we mourn the death of this courageous man, who left no stone unturned in protecting his niece, we hang our head in shame. If as a society, if we are not unsettled of what happened to this man, then we are the problem.
At IFORHER, we are not only heartbroken but shattered as this incident reflects on the ugly reality of our society and the police system. It shows what families have to go through if they want to protect their kids against the abusers.
Isn’t it the failure of the system how easily abusers could get out on bail and threaten the victims to withdraw complaints? Isn’t it the failure of the system, if the people have to sacrifice their lives for seeking justice?