Journalism of Courage
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Pragynesh
Pragynesh is a Correspondent at The Indian Express in New Delhi. He is a specialized crime and urban affairs journalist, focusing on law enforcement, interstate criminal syndicates, and the evolving challenges of urban governance in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Professional Profile
Education: Masters in Political science from Calcutta University. Post graduate diploma in journalism from Asian College of Journalism
Career Path: Pragynesh joined The Indian Express as a reporter covering the Delhi city beat, quickly specializing in crime and investigative reporting. His career has been defined by on-ground coverage of the Delhi Police, transport regulations, and high-profile cyber-fraud investigations.
Expertise: His reporting is deeply rooted in crime and investigations, with a secondary focus on urban infrastructure and transport policy. He is particularly noted for his "cold case" tracking and his ability to dismantle the mechanics of modern cybercrime syndicates and digital arrest scams.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
His recent work highlights critical investigative reporting on organized crime, public safety, and administrative enforcement:
1. Crime & Investigations
"Cambodia link, Chinese nationals: How gang of 10 carried out digital arrests and online investment fraud" (Dec 19, 2025): A major exposé on an international cyber-syndicate operating in South Delhi, detailing the sophisticated methods used to dupe Indian citizens.
"Cab drivers killed, cars sold in Nepal: Killer arrested after 25 years on the run" (Nov 29, 2025): A gripping long-form report on the arrest of a notorious 1990s highway gang member who had been living under a fake identity for over two decades.
"Rs 30,000 fines cleared for Rs 200: How fake sticker-extortion racket ran for 15 years in Delhi" (Dec 13, 2025): An investigative piece revealing how a syndicate blackmailed traffic officials to run an illegal extortion ring at Delhi’s borders.
2. Urban Governance & Transport
"On Day 3 of enforcement drive, less non-BS VI compliant vehicles on road; peak hours remain a hassle" (Dec 21, 2025): Real-time reporting on the impact of Delhi’s pollution-control traffic curbs and the logistical challenges faced by commuters.
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More From Pragynesh - Page 5
Who is the ‘drug queen’ of Outer Delhi’s Sultanpuri?Subscriber Only
July 21, 2025 18:08 IST
Since the 2000s, Kusum steadily built up her drug empire in the Outer Delhi locality. From selling smack, she expanded her illicit business to heroin, ganja, and tramadol tablets. As her business grew, so did her ill-gotten wealth. On Saturday, the Delhi Police seized property worth Rs 4 crore belonging to her and her family in Sultanpuri and Rohini areas. The ‘drug queen’, though, is on the run
Tue, Jul 22, 2025
Delhi Hardlook | ‘How is something that can kill people still sold?’: Deadly Chinese manjha back in Delhi — despite bansSubscriber Only
July 20, 2025 03:30 IST
Chinese manjha is back in the news again. The synthetic, glass-coated kite string has led to the death of a man and injured another this year — and has claimed many lives over the past few years. Delhi Police has intensified its crackdown on those selling the banned thread, but its sale continues under the radar.
Sun, Jul 20, 2025
NIA officer robbed of Rs 95,000: ‘Thak Thak gang member’ arrestedSubscriber Only
July 19, 2025 05:15 IST
When contacted, the NIA Public Relations Officer refused to comment on the issue
Sat, Jul 19, 2025
‘Car’s parking lights were on… still the truck driver’: Ex-Armyman killed while fixing tyre on Delhi flyoverSubscriber Only
July 17, 2025 19:07 IST
‘All the parking lights of the car were on. Still the truck driver…’ said the inconsolable son of the deceased former Indian Army havildar.
Fri, Jul 18, 2025
‘We take every call seriously… even if it turns out to be a hoax’Subscriber Only
July 17, 2025 05:14 IST
"Six to seven members of the BDS, six members with the BDT, six to seven members of the local police stations, the SHO of the Cyber Police station, and two members of the dog squad are sent to the site in such cases," an officer explained.
Thu, Jul 17, 2025
Days after Audi injures 5 sleeping on a footpath in Vasant Vihar in South Delhi, driver granted bailSubscriber Only
July 14, 2025 05:43 IST
When the hit-and-run happened, a pedestrian came to their help, said Sabami, and noted down the vehicle’s number to report to the police
Mon, Jul 14, 2025
‘Killed elderly couple, accused then hid in old age home’: Police chargesheet in Northwest Delhi murdersSubscriber Only
July 12, 2025 05:44 IST
The accused, Deepak, made a fake Aadhaar card and posed as one Pankaj, said an officer
Sat, Jul 12, 2025
Majnu Ka Tila double murder: Accused suspected partner had been told by friend to abort, say policeSubscriber Only
July 10, 2025 05:41 IST
The suspect, Nikhil, was arrested in Haldwani in Uttarakhand early Wednesday, police said, adding that he planned on fleeing to Nepal.
Thu, Jul 10, 2025
Delhi, UP police step up hunt as gangster Shorab, who orchestrated ‘high-profile’ killings from jail with brothers, jumps paroleSubscriber Only
July 08, 2025 11:59 IST
A Delhi court had granted parole to gangster Shorab on June 28 to visit his wife in Lucknow. Now, the police suspect he may try to leave the country via Nepal.
Wed, Jul 09, 2025
Delhi: Over 1,200 rolls of Chinese manjha seized, 3 arrestedSubscriber Only
July 07, 2025 05:50 IST
Chinese manjha uses nylon threads which are sometimes coated with powdered glass
Mon, Jul 07, 2025
‘Couldn’t stand in front of a pyre for 5 mins, can’t imagine my brother’s plight’: Kin of UPSC aspirant killed in Karol Bagh fireSubscriber Only
July 07, 2025 05:20 IST
Since Friday, Virendra claimed, none of the executives at Vishal Mega Mart have attempted to contact him. “I just want to know who will be held responsible for this,” he said
Mon, Jul 07, 2025
Lajpat Nagar murders: Boy was alive when killer fled; targeted to erase eyewitnesses, say copsSubscriber Only
July 05, 2025 05:35 IST
The police had found Ruchika Sewani (42) and her son Krish (14), a Class X student, dead when they broke open the main door of the house Wednesday night
Sat, Jul 05, 2025
‘Never scolded him, then why…?’: Grieving husband after wife, son killed by store worker in Delhi’s Lajpat NagarSubscriber Only
July 04, 2025 10:54 IST
Ketan (36), Kuldeep’s cousin, who was with him as he waited for the bodies, recalls getting a frantic call from him on Wednesday night.
Fri, Jul 04, 2025Shop worker kills employee & her son at Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar — after being ‘scolded’ for skipping workSubscriber Only
July 03, 2025 11:12 IST
Delhi Police said the accused was apprehended hours later while attempting to flee to his hometown in Bihar’s Hajipur on a train.
Fri, Jul 04, 2025
British tourist raped at Delhi hotel: She came thinking she was meeting a friend, say policeSubscriber Only
July 02, 2025 06:03 IST
A chargesheet in the case is learnt to have been filed by the police on May 22 in the court of Aniket Singh in Patiala House Court.
Thu, Jul 03, 2025
Over 20 cops guard jailed gangster Neeraj Bawana as he meets ailing wife in hospitalSubscriber Only
July 02, 2025 05:31 IST
Out on a custodial parole for six hours, gangster Neeraj Bawana was escorted by more than 20 police personnel from the Third Battalion of the Delhi Police as he left Tihar Jail on Tuesday morning to see his ailing wife in a hospital in West Delhi’s Shadipur. This was the first time in nearly three […]
Wed, Jul 02, 2025
Two more, including former employee, arrested in Delhi CNG pump owner robbery case; Rs 6.75 lakh recovered
July 01, 2025 12:09 IST
The accused had fled with Rs 30 lakh and some jewellery after robbing Karan Chopra at his farmhouse in Delhi’s Ghitorni and his office in Gurgaon.
Tue, Jul 01, 2025
3 ‘drunk’ men pose as Delhi cops, rob bike to experience thrill; arrestedSubscriber Only
June 29, 2025 16:44 IST
The victim is a security guard with GMR RAXA at Worldmark II in Delhi’s Aerocity.
Sun, Jun 29, 2025
‘Won’t kill you, will make you shed tears of blood’: A Delhi gangster’s closest circle is being eliminated one by oneSubscriber Only
June 29, 2025 00:27 IST
The Manjeet Mahal-Kapil Sangwan rivalry dates back to 2015. With three people known to him killed in three months, the walls now seem to be closing in on Mahal
Tue, Jul 01, 2025
A ‘Nasbandi Colony’ and a ‘Mata Indira Sanjay Act’: 50 years later, ghosts are vivid at Turkman GateSubscriber Only
June 28, 2025 11:51 IST
As per the Shah Commission, six people were killed when police opened fire in the area on April 19, 1976, on protesters, angry over demolitions, sterilisations
Sat, Jun 28, 2025
Woman dies after alleged molestation at Delhi hospital: Medical report ‘rules out sexual assault’Subscriber Only
June 27, 2025 06:12 IST
The woman, suspected to be homeless, was admitted to the hospital on June 21 after she was allegedly found in an inebriated condition
Fri, Jun 27, 2025
Delhi gears up for monsoon: Traffic police to help man 71 key waterlogging hotspotsSubscriber Only
June 23, 2025 05:30 IST
If flooding increases, traffic officials are also instructed to call upon other departments, including the PWD, and seek immediate installation of pumps to drain the water
Mon, Jun 23, 2025
Delhi Hardlook | ‘We just plug in wherever we can’: Inside Delhi’s unsafe e-rickshaw networkSubscriber Only
June 22, 2025 05:15 IST
A spate of deaths over the past two months linked to e-rickshaw charging has once again highlighted the dangers of the unregulated infrastructure that has sprung up to support the city’s last-mile connector
Sun, Jun 22, 2025
Iran-Israel war: ‘It was terrible… felt as if we won’t be able to go back’, says student who landed in DelhiSubscriber Only
June 21, 2025 16:01 IST
Around 290 passengers, including several Kashmiri students, onboard Iranian airline Mahan Air -- the first direct flight from the country since the conflict with Israel escalated last Friday -- landed at the Delhi airport early Saturday.
Sun, Jun 22, 2025
Two working at dhabha electrocuted amid rain, thunderstorm in DelhiSubscriber Only
June 16, 2025 05:30 IST
Bharat and Ravinder went towards the left side of the stall, set up their fan, and fell asleep on their worn-out cots under the open sky
Mon, Jun 16, 2025Journalism of Courage
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