Responding to news that Sandeep Sharma, a journalist investigating illegal sand mining, has died after being hit by a truck in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh today, Asmita Basu, programmes director of Amnesty International India, said:

“The killing of Sandeep Sharma, who had earlier sought police protection after doing two 'sting' operations, illustrates the risks that human rights defenders in India face.

“An independent and impartial probe must investigate this murder. Many brave journalists, activists and whistleblowers have been harassed, threatened and killed for exposing human rights abuses and corruption.

“In many cases, lives could have been saved if authorities had acted on reports of threats and other abuses.

“Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan needs to bring those responsible to book, and send a clear message that these attacks will not be tolerated.”