Two journalists who uncovered illegal sand mining in Madhya Pradesh now find themselves hiding in Delhi, claiming the very police they exposed are hunting them down.
Their petition, now before the Supreme Court, reads like a script from a grim political thriller: abduction, custodial assault, caste-based abuse, and naked threats to life—allegedly all courtesy of Bhind’s top cop, SP Asit Yadav.
Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan say their ordeal began on May 1, after they reported on rampant illegal sand mining in the Chambal river region. According to their account, the mafia wasn’t operating alone—it had the protection of the local police. Days later, they were invited to the SP’s office “for tea.” But inside, they say, was no tea—just a room full of stripped-down journalists and a violent reception.
In their plea under Article 32 of the Constitution, they describe being beaten, humiliated, and—especially in Jatav’s case—targeted with casteist slurs. He says he was thrashed with slippers and called names tied to his Scheduled Caste identity, an act that falls under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, apart from violating core constitutional protections.
The case was mentioned urgently before a vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and SC Sharma. While Justice Sharma questioned their bypassing of the state high court, their counsel argued that returning to Madhya Pradesh wasn’t safe—the Press Club of India has already condemned the treatment, and the journalists say their families are under threat.
Justice Karol offered a cryptic warning: “You know the conclusion if it comes before this bench.” To which the petitioners’ advocate quipped, “Then we will pray for this bench.” Justice Sharma replied, simply, “I am stubborn.”
The Court agreed to hear the case later this week.
The story goes beyond a plea for protection. It’s a snapshot of what happens when the powerful feel threatened by the press—and decide to show the press just how powerless it really is.