New Delhi, June 4(HS): The Supreme Court has notified the Madhya Pradesh government while hearing a petition for anticipatory bail filed by two journalists, Amar Kant Singh Chouhan and Shashikant Jatav, who reported on illegal sand mining in Bhind. A bench led by Justice Sanjay Karol scheduled the next hearing for June 9, denying interim relief until the state's response is received.

Chouhan reported being threatened by Bhind's Superintendent of Police (SP) Asit Yadav due to his coverage of the sand mafia, prompting Chouhan and Jatav to flee to Delhi. Despite relocating, they continued to receive threats regarding their safety and that of their families. The Delhi High Court granted Chouhan security from Delhi Police for two months. Chouhan's lawyer, Varisa Firasat, emphasized the need for security while seeking a status report from Madhya Pradesh police, which the court suggested would be addressed better at the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The journalists detailed an incident on May 1 when they were assaulted by the SP and his subordinates at his office.

Additional threats and coercive tactics were employed, including being forced to make a fake video statement claiming a settlement with the SP. Following these events, they fled to Delhi on May 19 to file complaints with the National Human Rights Commission and the Press Council of India.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar