Bihar journalist abducted found murdered, body torched in Madhubani

New Delhi, November 15

The charred body of of the missing journalist and RTI activist who was allegedly kidnapped was found on the roadside of a village in Madhubani district of Bihar.

The deceased was identified as Buddhinath Jha, alias Avinash Jha (24) working with a local news portal. 

As per the reports, he disappeared two days after he uploaded a Facebook post that named medical clinics that he alleged were "fake". His work had led to the closure of some such clinics and massive fines for others.

During his reporting, Buddhinath apparently received numerous threats and offers of lakhs in bribes, neither of which deterred him. He was last seen around 10 pm on November 9 in the feed of a CCTV installed near his home near Lohia Chowk in Benipatti. 

The feed shows him coming out of his home, which is on a narrow lane, several times from 9 pm, and walking about on the nearby main road speaking on his mobile phone. The feed also shows him going to his clinic (on the same lane as his home) several times while talking on the phone. The last time he is seen he leaves home at 9.58 pm wearing a yellow scarf around his neck.

He had launched a campaign against "medical mafia" active in Madhubani through his web portal, facebook posts and seeking information about the private nursing homes and hospitals. Acting on his investigations, district civil surgeon had imposed fines of Rs 50.000 on four unregistered and sub-standard hospitals.

The police have arrested six persons including a woman for kidnapping and murder of the journalist.