MP: The case of beating of journalists in Bhind reaches Supreme Court, ‘What is your name?’ Police had beaten a Dalit journalist with slippers after asking him!
On Monday, the aggrieved journalists filed a petition in the Supreme Court in this matter. A bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma asked the petitioners why they did not approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court first?
Published on: 03 Jun 2025, 1:49 pm
Bhopal. A serious incident that brought shame to journalism and democracy came to light in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh recently. The case of brutal beating of two journalists by police officers who wrote news against the sand mafia has now reached the Supreme Court. The journalists have alleged that this attack took place inside the SP office and efforts are being made to intimidate them by filing false cases against them.
Hearing in the Supreme Court
On Monday, the aggrieved journalists filed a petition in the Supreme Court in this matter. A bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma asked the petitioners why they did not approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court first?
The lawyers appearing on behalf of the journalists said that both the journalists are facing threat to their lives and they can be implicated in false cases. After hearing the arguments, the court agreed to list the case urgently.
Dalit journalist hurled casteist abuses and beaten with chappals
The victim journalist Shashikant Goyal told that he was called to the office of SP Dr. Asit Yadav on May 1. As soon as he reached there, SI Girish Sharma and Satyabir Singh asked his name. When he told his name as “Shashikant Goyal Jatav”, both the policemen started hitting him on the cheeks with slippers.
“I asked why are you beating me, what is my fault? I got the answer – you have started writing a lot against the police.” — Shashikant said
Shashikant said that he was forcibly asked to say “ji sir”. When he questioned what is the difference between “sir ji” and “ji sir”, he was beaten again and abused with casteist slurs. The entire incident took place in the presence of SP Asit Yadav.
Eight journalists were targeted
According to the information related to the case, about eight journalists were called to the SP office and beaten up by the policemen. The only ‘crime’ of all these journalists was that they were continuously reporting on the collusion between the sand mafia and the police active in the district.
The other victim journalist Amarkant Chauhan has also confirmed the brutality of the policemen. Both the journalists said that now they have fled to Delhi and reached the Supreme Court to save their lives.
Press Club of India condemned
The Press Club of India has strongly condemned this incident and demanded to ensure the safety of journalists. The counsel for the petitioners told the court that the victim journalists are working with very limited resources and now they have hope of justice only from the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma made an important remark, “Should we consider anticipatory bail cases across the country just because a journalist is involved?”
On the other hand, the counsel for the petitioner argued that this case is much more serious than a normal anticipatory bail petition. In this, an attempt is being made by the state machinery to suppress the fourth pillar of democracy.
