Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Journalists Reporting on Illegal Sand Mining in Chambal

In a significant move supporting press freedom, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim protection from arrest to two Madhya Pradesh-based journalists—Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chauhan—who reported on illegal sand mining activities in the ecologically sensitive Chambal region.

The journalists, both operating in Bhind district, alleged in their petition that they were threatened and physically assaulted by local police officials following a series of investigative reports exposing rampant illegal mining in the area.

Amarkant Singh Chauhan, Bureau Chief of ‘Swaraj Express,’ stated in his petition that on May 1, he was summoned by the Superintendent of Police under the pretext of a conversation. However, upon arrival, he was allegedly stripped and beaten in front of fellow journalists. A few days later, on May 4, both Chauhan and freelance journalist Shashikant Jatav were allegedly lured to the SP’s residence by a middleman from the railway station, where they were pressured to withdraw their complaints.

Fearing for their safety, the journalists left for Delhi on May 5 and lodged formal complaints with the Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission. Initially, they approached the Delhi High Court, which granted them interim protection for two months. However, citing jurisdictional limitations, the court advised them to move to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Due to the cross-state nature and sensitivity of the case, the journalists subsequently petitioned the Supreme Court directly.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the apex court issued notices to both the Madhya Pradesh and Delhi governments and placed a temporary stay on their arrest.

In its response, the Madhya Pradesh government denied the allegations and claimed that the journalists themselves were facing serious charges, including extortion. The journalists, however, refuted these accusations, calling them baseless and an attempt to silence their work.

In a joint statement, Chauhan and Jatav emphasized that this case is not just about personal safety but about the broader rights of all journalists who strive to report fearlessly in the public interest. They welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention and expressed confidence in the judicial process.

Veteran journalist Manoj Sharma remarked that the case highlights the growing challenges for investigative journalism in areas plagued by unchecked illegal activities. He termed the Supreme Court’s interim relief a small but meaningful victory for press freedom.

The matter is currently under investigation. Both journalists have affirmed their full cooperation with the legal proceedings and reiterated their faith in the judiciary.