Jammu, Amid growing outrage over the mysterious death of a young doctor, nearly 300 people participated in a candlelight march in the Bahu Fort area of Jammu on Saturday evening, demanding justice for Dr Prabhjot Chalotra, whose body was recovered under suspicious circumstances from a gorge in Doda district earlier this week.
Dr Chalotra, a resident of Bahu Fort, was found dead in the Gandoh area of Doda on April 20. His body was handed over to the family a day later. Since then, the bereaved family has alleged foul play, raising serious questions about the circumstances leading to his death.
The candlelight march, organised by the family, began from the doctor’s residence and culminated at Saryara Sabha, Bahu Fort with participants carrying candles and raising slogans seeking justice. The protest witnessed the participation of a large number of local residents, reflecting widespread concern over the incident.
Bahu constituency MLA Vikram Randhawa joined the protest in solidarity with the family and made strong remarks, stating that “all circumstances suggest it is a cold-blooded murder.”
He said it appeared that some civil administration officers were trying to hush up the matter. He also raised questions about the manner in which the postmortem was conducted, alleging that it was carried out without the consent of the family.
He expressed hope that the police would conduct a fair investigation, adding that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is a very efficient officer and that he has full faith in him. However, he said that if the case is not handled properly or if any lapses are found, they would be compelled to approach central agencies and seek a CBI probe to uncover the truth.
Describing the deceased as an educated youth and the sole support of his ageing parents and sisters, Randhawa demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.
The MLA said this was a symbolic protest and asserted that they would not sit idle until justice is served. Family members have rejected initial claims suggesting an accidental fall, asserting that the condition of the body points towards a possible conspiracy.
“We do not believe this is an accidental fall. The circumstances raise serious concerns,” a family member said. The deceased’s sister, Urmila, highlighted alleged inconsistencies in the case. She questioned how a fall from a reported height of 300 feet resulted in only a head injury, with no major fractures or multiple injuries.
“Officials said he fell from such a height. How is it possible that there are no fractures? There is also no visual evidence of the recovery, despite claims that locals helped retrieve the body,” she said, urging authorities to investigate all possible angles.
The family also alleged that the deceased’s mobile phones had been formatted and his social media accounts deactivated, further deepening suspicion.
The protesters later assembled outside Saryara Sabha, reiterating their demand for a transparent and time-bound investigation into the death of the 27-year-old doctor. The family, leading the march, vowed to continue their fight for justice.
The incident has triggered widespread concern across Jammu and on social media platforms, with many voicing support for the family and calling for accountability.
