Maharashtra-based journalist, Shashikant Warishe, was killed by a local realty broker, hours after releasing a report alleging the broker had engaged in illegal land grabbing and was connected to senior Indian politicians.
On February 6, broker Pandharinth Amberkar allegedly drove his black Mahindra Thar SUV into Warishe on the Rajapur highway in the Konkan Region of Maharashtra. Warishe was struck down by the vehicle, which Amberkar was seen to be driving, while near a petrol pump and was dragged under the vehicle for several meters, sustaining fatal injuries. The journalist was taken to the Civil Hospital in Ratnagiri, and then to the City Hospital, but despite medical efforts Warishe died on the morning of February 7.
The journalist had previously published a series of reports in the local Mahanagari Times, highlighting local opposition to the controversial establishment of the Ranagri Refinery & Petrochemicals LTD in Barsu. His most recent article, which was published just five hours before the fatal incident, accused Amberkar of being a ‘criminal’ and revealed the relationship between the land broker and senior politicians, including Narendra Modi and Maharashtra state leadership.