Police arrest driver of truck that killed investigative journalist Sandeep Sharma in Bhind

The manner of the journalist's death had sparked speculation that he may have been bumped off by the sand mafia.

Police say the driver did not have a licence to drive heavy vehicles. (Picture: Twitter/@ANI)

Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested the man who was allegedly driving the truck that ran over and killed a journalist in Bhind. The journalist, Sandeep Sharma, had been investigating the alleged nexus between the sand mafia and the police, and questions had been raised about the manner of his death.

The driver has been identified as Ranvir Singh, and police have said he does not possess a licence to drive heavy vehicles.

The state police had announced that a Special Investigative Team (SIT) was being set up to investigate Sharma's death.

The 35-year-old investigative journalist, Sandeep Sharma, was on a two-wheeler and was run over by a sand-dumper truck, sparking allegations that he had been bumped off by the sand mafia. A video clip of the incident went viral on social media.

The whole incident had been captured on a security camera in the vicinity. The video clip from the security footage was shared on social media, and led to doubts that he may have been murdered. Adding to speculations of foul play is the fact that the journalist had previously complained to the police of threats to his life. He had at the time said the threats were because of the investigations he was carrying out for his reportage. Now, an SIT has been formed to look into the tragic incident.

Local media reports say the incident took place close to a police station, and that cops reached the spot almost immediately. They said the area had been cordoned off. Sharma had been rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

The issue had also attracted criticism from Congress leader Jytoiraditya Scindia, who demanded a CBI inquiry into Sharma's death.