Senior journalist alleges assault, threats by MP police; seeks Delhi High Court protection amid harassment claims.
NEW DELHI: Allegations of assault and threats by Madhya Pradesh Police have surfaced, implicating Bhind Superintendent of Police (SP) Asit Yadav. Senior journalist Amarkant Singh Chouhan has alleged that he was threatened inside the SP’s office in retaliation for his reporting on alleged police involvement in extortion. Following the incident, Chouhan fled to Delhi and sought relief from the Press Council of India (PCI) and the Delhi High Court, which has since granted him police protection. Yadav has denied all allegations.
On May 1, four journalists from Madhya Pradesh—Pritam Singh Rajawat (YouTube channel operator), Shashikant Goyal (news portal owner), Amarkant Singh Chouhan (Bureau Chief of Swaraj Express Bhind), and one other—alleged that they were assaulted by police officers inside Yadav’s office. Three weeks later, fearing further reprisals, they remain in hiding in Delhi and have submitted a complaint to the PCI.
In a petition to the Delhi High Court, Chouhan claimed he fled Bhind due to a serious threat to his life and liberty. His counsel argued that the petitioner could not approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to the hostile environment back home.
Chouhan stated that he had been reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal River, allegedly operated by a mafia in collusion with local police. As per the petition, SP Yadav summoned him to his office under the pretext of having tea and then physically assaulted him. The plea further claims that more than half a dozen journalists were present in the SP’s chamber, and many were stripped to their undergarments before being beaten.
On May 19, Chouhan and Goyal travelled to Delhi to file complaints with the Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), citing ongoing police harassment.
The Delhi High Court, in an order dated May 26, issued by Justice Ravinder Dudeja, granted interim protection to Chouhan. The court directed Delhi Police to provide security and instructed Chouhan’s legal counsel to furnish details of his local police station, as well as share his contact information with the Station House Officer and beat officer. The plea also sought protection of Chouhan’s fundamental rights under Article 19(1) of the Constitution, including his right to life, liberty, freedom of speech, and profession.
Both the Madhya Pradesh State Press Club and the Press Club of India have issued statements condemning the alleged police action. The State Press Club released a statement on May 3 demanding action against the officers involved, while the Press Club of India echoed this demand in a detailed statement dated May 25.
In response to the allegations, Yadav told The Sunday Guardian that Chouhan is a “legal offender” who was previously terminated from his position at a news channel. Yadav claimed Chouhan has a history of blackmailing individuals and faces extortion and forgery cases. He maintained that any police action was taken in response to formal complaints and added, “Now that he has approached the Delhi High Court and has been granted protection, we will comply with the court’s order.”
Attempts by the newspaper to reach Chouhan and the other journalists for comment have gone unanswered.
