Delhi HC Grants Protection to Madhya Pradesh Journalist Alleging Assault by Bhind Police

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Police to provide protection to Madhya Pradesh-based journalists who were allegedly assaulted and threatened by the Bhind police in Madhya Pradesh.

A bench led by Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the following order while disposing of a plea moved by journalist Amarkant Singh Chouhan, seeking protection from the court.

The court directed the Delhi Police to provide protection for a period of two months. It also instructed that Chouhan's contact details be shared with the local Station House Officer (SHO) and the beat officer of the area where he is residing in Delhi.

During the proceedings, the counsel appearing for the journalists argued that they were compelled to approach the Delhi High Court due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the case.

His counsel claimed that he had fled from Madhya Pradesh to Delhi due to threats to his life and personal liberty.

In his plea, Chouhan has alleged that he, along with fellow journalists Shashikant Goyal and Pritam Singh Rajawat, was summoned by the Superintendent of Police under the pretext of having tea.

Subsequently, the plea alleges that the journalists were stripped down to their undergarments and were physically assaulted.

 As per the plea, the assault was in response to their reporting on illegal sand mining activities in the Chambal River, allegedly involving local police officials.

The journalists have also sought intervention from the Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission.

Case Title: Amarkant Singh Chouhan v. State of NCT of Delhi

[Inputs-PTI]