The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition filed by two Madhya Pradesh-based journalists who have alleged brutal custodial assault, caste-based slurs, and threats to life by Bhind district police, including Superintendent of Police Asit Yadav. The case stems from their reporting on illegal sand mining in the Chambal river region.
The writ petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks urgent protection for journalists Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan, who claim they were kidnapped, stripped, and assaulted in custody on May 1, shortly after exposing alleged police-mafia nexus in sand mining operations.
The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and SC Sharma.
Justice Sharma initially questioned the choice of forum, asking why the petitioners had approached the top court directly instead of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The advocate for the journalists responded that the Press Club of India had condemned the incident and the petitioners were forced to take refuge in Delhi, fearing for their lives.
At this, Justice Karol cryptically remarked, “You know the conclusion if it comes before this bench.” In response, the advocate said, “Then we will pray for this bench.” Justice Sharma retorted, “I am stubborn.” The bench, however, agreed to list the matter later this week.
According to the plea, when Jatav and Chouhan arrived at the SP’s office after being invited “for tea,” they found other journalists stripped to their undergarments and being physically assaulted. The petition further alleges that Shashikant Jatav, a member of the Scheduled Caste ‘Jatav’ community, was beaten with slippers and subjected to casteist slurs on the instructions of SP Yadav.
The journalists argue that their rights under Articles 14, 15, and 21 have been grossly violated, along with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The plea states that threats from local police continue, making it unsafe for them or their families to seek justice in the state judiciary.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter for detailed hearing later this week.
Case: Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal & Anr vs State of Madhya Pradesh – Available on LAWFYI.IO
