Supreme Court grants interim protection to journalists facing threats over reporting on illegal sand mining in Chambal
New Delhi : The Supreme Court of India has granted interim protection from arrest to two Madhya Pradesh-based journalists, Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan, in connection with a petition filed by them highlighting threats to their life and freedom following their investigative reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal River region.
The journalists, both based in Bhind, have faced alleged intimidation, including physical assault, purportedly at the hands of local police officials. The matter stems from a series of reports published by the two, which exposed unregulated and unlawful mining operations in the ecologically sensitive Chambal belt.
In the petition, Amarkant Singh Chouhan, bureau chief of Swaraj Express, stated that on May 1, he was summoned by the Superintendent of Police under the pretext of an informal conversation. What followed, he alleges, was a physical assault — including being stripped and beaten — in the presence of other journalists. On May 4, both Chouhan and independent journalist Shashikant Jatav were allegedly misled by an intermediary at the railway station and taken to the SP’s bungalow, where they claim they were pressured to drop any complaints.
Fearing further harm, the two left for Delhi on May 5 and filed formal representations before the Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission. Though they initially approached the Delhi High Court, which granted them two months’ interim relief, the court cited a lack of jurisdiction and advised them to move to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Given the interstate nature and sensitivity of the case, the petitioners chose to approach the Supreme Court, which took cognizance and issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments, while also granting interim protection from arrest.
The Madhya Pradesh state government, in its response to the Supreme Court, has denied the allegations and argued that the petitioners face charges of extortion. The journalists maintain that these charges are retaliatory and aimed at silencing their reporting.
In a joint statement, the journalists said: "This is not just about us, it's about the rights of journalists everywhere to report freely on matters of public interest without fear of retaliation. We welcome the Supreme Court's protection and trust the legal process will uphold the truth."
Senior journalist Manoj Sharma also commented in support of the court's move: "This case reflects the shrinking space for investigative journalism in regions where illegal activities operate with impunity. The interim protection is a small but essential victory for press freedom."
The matter remains under investigation, and the petitioners have expressed full confidence in the judiciary as they continue to cooperate with due process.
