India’s Supreme Court has granted interim relief from arrest to two journalists from Madhya Pradesh, Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chauhan, amid threats and intimidation following their investigative reporting on illegal sand mining in the environmentally sensitive Chambal region.
The journalists, based in Bhind district, alleged in their petition that they have faced harassment and physical assault at the hands of local police authorities. Their reports exposed rampant and unlawful mining activities along the Chambal River, raising serious environmental concerns.
Amarkant Singh Chauhan, bureau chief of Swaraj Express, stated that on May 1, he was called by the police superintendent under the pretext of a discussion, only to be beaten—allegedly stripped and assaulted—in front of other journalists. A few days later, on May 4, Chauhan and independent journalist Shashikant Jatav were reportedly coaxed by an intermediary from the railway station to the superintendent’s residence, where they were pressured to withdraw their complaints.
Fearing for their safety, both journalists fled to Delhi on May 5 and lodged formal complaints with the Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission. After initially receiving two months’ interim protection from the Delhi High Court, they were advised to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to jurisdictional issues. Considering the cross-state nature and sensitivity of the case, they petitioned the Supreme Court directly. The apex court took cognizance, issuing notices to the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, and imposed a temporary stay on their arrest.
The Madhya Pradesh government denied the allegations, accusing the journalists of serious offenses including extortion. However, the journalists dismissed these claims as baseless attempts to silence their reporting.
In a joint statement, Jatav and Chauhan emphasized that their case is not merely personal but emblematic of the fundamental right of journalists to report fearlessly on matters of public interest. They welcomed the Supreme Court’s protection and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
Senior journalist Manoj Sharma commented that this case highlights the shrinking space for investigative journalism in areas plagued by unchecked illegal activities. He described the interim relief as a small but significant victory for press freedom.
The investigation is ongoing, with both journalists committed to full cooperation and maintaining faith in the judiciary.
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