Supreme Court Seeks Response from Madhya Pradesh Government on Journalists' Assault Case

Supreme Court's Inquiry into Journalists' Assault Allegations

The Supreme Court has requested the Madhya Pradesh government to respond to a petition filed by two journalists who allege they were assaulted at a police station due to their reporting on sand mafia activities.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma agreed to hear the petition submitted by journalists Shashikant Goyal and Amarkant Singh Chauhan, issuing a notice to the state for a response.

The lawyers representing the petitioners urged the bench to grant interim protection against arrest. The bench responded by stating that the other party should be allowed to respond and that the state should present its facts. The petition has been scheduled for a hearing on June 9.

On May 28, the Delhi High Court had granted Chauhan protection, as he claimed that his life was in danger from the Superintendent of Police in Bhind. The High Court instructed the Delhi Police to provide Chauhan, who is the Bhind bureau chief for 'Swaraj Express' news channel, with security for two months.

Last month, three journalists from Bhind district reported that they were assaulted or mistreated inside the Superintendent of Police's office, although the police officer denied these allegations.

Pritam Singh Rajawat, who runs a YouTube channel, Goyal, who operates a news portal, and Chauhan, who works for a news channel, filed a complaint with the district collector alleging that they were assaulted on May 1.