On June 7, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to two journalists from Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, in connection with FIRs registered against them by the state police. The journalists, Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan, had approached the apex court seeking relief, alleging custodial violence and continuous harassment by the Bhind police.
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The bench comprising Justice PK Mishra and Justice Manmohan stated:
"We are not inclined to entertain this petition under Article 32, however, considering the nature of allegations, we relegate the petitioner to the concerned HC within period of two weeks from today. Till the petitioner moves High Court and the concerned High Court considers their prayer for interim relief, the petitioners shall not be arrested."
The Court provided this two-week window to enable the petitioners to approach the appropriate jurisdictional High Court and seek bail or other legal remedies.
Background of the Case
Petitioner No. 1, Shashikant Jatav, is the Bhind Bureau Chief for Dainik Bejor Ratna, while Petitioner No. 2, Amarkant Singh Chouhan, holds the same post at Swaraj Express. Both are journalists working on sensitive reports about the alleged exploitation of the Chambal River by the sand mafia in Madhya Pradesh.
According to the petition, the journalists were misleadingly summoned by Bhind SP to his office on May 1 and physically assaulted upon arrival. It is further alleged that the police used casteist slurs against Jatav, who belongs to the Jatav community, and beat him with footwear.
"These acts of Bhind Police are violative of Article 15 of the Constitution and are offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989," the petition stated.
The plea also accuses the police of custodial assault, kidnapping, and continued harassment, forcing both journalists to flee their hometown due to threats to their lives and liberty.
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While Amarkant Singh Chouhan approached the Delhi High Court and secured two months' protection from Delhi Police, Shashikant Jatav’s plea was adjourned till July. His counsel informed the Supreme Court that he is yet to receive similar relief.
"We are here because we are actually fearing for our lives," Advocate Warisha Farasat, appearing for the petitioners, submitted before the Court.
In contrast, the Counsel for the Madhya Pradesh Government argued that several public complaints—more than ten—were filed against the journalists, alleging extortion.
"More than 10 complaints raised by the Public – there are allegations of extortion!" the State Counsel claimed.
The petitioners have rejected these allegations as false and stated that the FIRs were lodged in a vindictive manner to silence their reporting.
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The Supreme Court ultimately allowed the journalists two weeks of protection and clarified that the Madhya Pradesh High Court can evaluate the case's merits and decide on the grant of bail or interim relief.
The plea was filed through Advocate-on-Record Yashwant Singh.
Case Title: SHASHIKANT JATAV @ SHASHIKANT GOYAL @ SHASHI KAPOOR v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH, W.P.(Crl.) No. 237/2025
