Gokarna Gautam, a journalist with Kantipur daily, passed away on Thursday. He was 31. Gautam died while undergoing a brain surgery at around 11:30 am at Bansbari-based Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences. He was admitted to the hospital on Monday.

Previously with the Nepal magazine, Gautam used to cover arts, literature and social issues.

He had a special interest in reporting stories about the oppressed groups. His reporting on the 2018 Nirmala Pant rape and murder case and more recently on the killing of five Dalit men in Rukum (West) and about the people lining up for free meals at Kathmandu’s Khula Manch amid the Covid-19 pandemic were praised both by the readers and his colleagues.

Besides, he had also made his name as an astute film critic.

Friends and colleagues remember Gautam for his untiring work and unwavering commitment to the cause of giving voice to the voiceless.

Gautam’s final rites were performed at Pashupati Aryaghat on Thursday afternoon. He is survived by his mother, wife and an elder brother.