India Press Freedom Report 2020

INDIA PRESS
FREEDOM
REPORT 2020
INDIA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2020
First published: July 2021
© Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), 2021
No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by

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Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 9
2. The list of journalists and media targeted during 2020 ................................................................... 13
2.1 Women journalists targeted during 2020 ..............................................................................26
3. Crackdown by the State actors ....................................................................................................... 29
3.1. Arrest and detention ..............................................................................................................33
3.2. Registration of FIRs ...............................................................................................................47
3.3. Summons/show cause notices .............................................................................................. 66
3.4. Physical attacks and intimidation by security forces and other

public officials .......................................................................................................................72
i. Assault by the army ........................................................................................................74
ii. Assault by the police ......................................................................................................75
iii. Assault by other public officials ..................................................................................... 80
3.5. Censorship/denial of advertisement .......................................................................................81
4. Attacks on journalists by the non-State actors ............................................................................... 85
4.1. Killing of journalists ...............................................................................................................85
4.2. Physical attacks or threats by non state actors ....................................................................90
i. Political parties ..............................................................................................................90
ii. Attacks by vigilantes, unidentified persons or mob ........................................................95
iii. Online threats/harassment ........................................................................................... 102
5. Endnotes ....................................................................................................................................... 105

India Press Freedom Report 2020
ABBREVIATIONS
AIADMK – All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

ASI – Assistant Sub Inspector
BJP – Bhartiya Janata Party
BWJA – Baramulla Working Journalist Association
CAA – Citizenship Amendment Act
CBI – Central Bureau of Investigation
CID – Crime Investigation Department
CNS – Current News Service
CrPC – Code of Criminal Procedure
DC – Deputy Commissioner
DFO – Divisional Forest Officer
DIPR – Department of Information and Public Relations
DM – District Magistrate
EGI – Editors Guild of India
FIR – First Information Reports
GPC – Guwahati Press Club
GRP – Government Railway Police
IANS – Indo-Asian News Service
IPC – Indian Penal Code
KPC – Kashmir Press Club
KUWJ – Kerala Union of Working Journalists
MLA – Member of Legislative Assembly
MP – Member of Parliament
(5)
NIA – National Investigation Agency

NKJA – North Kashmir Journalists Association
NRC – National Register of Citizens
OC – Officer-in-Charge
OTV – Odisha Television
PCI – Press Council of India
PHC – Primary Health Centre
POCSO – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
PTI – Press Trust of India
SDM – Sub-Divisional Magistrate
SHO – Station House Officer
SP – Superintendent of Police
SSP – Senior Superintendent of Police
TRS – Telangana Rashtra Samiti
UAPA – Unlawful Activities Prevention Act
UT – Union Territory
(6)
DISCLAIMER
This report has been prepared based on news reports mainly in English language.
The targeting of the journalists as reported in vulnacular press could not be
covered and not every incident covered by the vulnacular press was reported by
the English media. Further, not every incident targeting journalists is reported
in the media. This report, therefore, does not reflect the exact scale of attacks on
the journalists and media during 2020. It is only indicative of the patterns and
practices of attacks on the journalists and media in India.
(7)
State/UT wise number of journalists

& media targeted during 2020
Map: Courtesy@ https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/India%20-%20Political1.pdf
(8)
1. Executive Summary
HIGHLIGHTS
No of journalists and media
COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 exacerbated targeted: 228 (226 journalists
and two media houses)
the repression on the journalists and media in
No of female journalists
India. Across the country, at least 228 journalists targeted: 12
(including two cases against media houses) were No of journalists targeted by
targeted during 2020. These included 12 female the State actors: 114 (112
journalists who had faced physical violence, online journalists and two media
houses)
harassment/threats and cases including under the
No of journalist targeted by
stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act the non-State actors: 114
(UAPA) of 1967. No of journalists killed: 13
Out of the total 228 journalists, 114 journalists No of journalists arrested or

detained: 37
were attacked by the non-State actors such as mob,
No of FIRs filed: 64
unidentified miscreants, members/ supporters of
political parties etc or online social media users No of show cause notices
issued: 14 (13 journalists and
while 112 journalists and two media houses were one newspaper)
targeted by the State agencies. A number of No of journalists physically
journalists faced multiple targeting such as assaulted/ threatened
online: 101
registration of First Information Reports (FIRs),
Laws invoked: IPC, CrPC,
show cause notices for appearance, detention and
UAPA, Epidemic Diseases
questioning without registration of any formal Act, Disaster Management Act
case before the police, custodial torture, etc. of 2005, Prevention of
Atrocities Act, IT Act, POCSO
Among the States, maximum number of Act, the Official Secrets Act
and JJ Act
journalists/media organisations were targeted in
Top five States where
Uttar Pradesh (37); followed by Maharashtra (22); journalists/media were
Jammu and Kashmir (18); Delhi (15); Karnataka targeted: Uttar Pradesh (37),
Maharashtra (22), Jammu and
(12); Andhra Pradesh and Tripura (11 each); Kashmir (18), Delhi (15) and
Tamil Nadu (10); Gujarat, Telangana and West Karnataka (12)
(9)
Bengal (8 each); Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha (7

each); Punjab (6); Rajasthan (5); Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (4 each); Arunachal
Pradesh, Haryana and Jharkhand (2 each); Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Chandigarh, Goa, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Uttarakhand (1
each).
Among the North Eastern States, the maximum number of journalists were
targeted in Tripura with 11 (including one newspaper), followed by Assam (7),
Arunachal Pradesh (2) and Manipur (1), Meghalaya (1), Nagaland (1).
A total of 13 journalists were killed, 37 journalists were arrested or detained, 64

journalists/media institutions had FIRs registered against them, 13 journalists
and one newspaper were issued show-cause notices/ summons by different
authorities and 101 journalists were subjected to physical assault/online threats
or their houses and family members being attacked. A number of journalists
faced multiple FIRs within a State as well as in different States including Arnab
Goswami, Vinod Dua, Aakar Patel, Jagat Bains, Om Sharma, Ashwani Saini,
and Amish Devgan. To avoid being arrested following the filing of FIRs, several
journalists had to seek relief from the courts including the Supreme Court.
With respect to the killing of 13 journalists, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest
with six deaths (Shubham Mani Tripathi, Vikram Joshi, Ratan Singh, Suraj Pandey,
Uday Paswan and Rakesh Singh), followed by two deaths each in Assam
(Bijendeep Tanti and Parag Bhuyan) and Madhya Pradesh (Sunil Tiwari and
Syed Adil Wahab), and one death each in Kerala (SV Pradeep), Rajasthan
(Abhishek Soni) and Tamil Nadu (Isravel Moses). Out of the 13 journalists, 12
journalists were killed by the non-State actors/criminals while one journalist was
killed by two policemen together with the non-State actors/criminals. One
disturbing pattern that was particularly common with respect to the killings was
the fact that prior to their deaths, some of the journalists had approached the
local police seeking protection but the police had failed to take action that could
have saved their lives.
Apart from the murders, 101 journalists were attacked physically and online
during 2020. Of these, 42 journalists were subjected to beating by public officials
including police with 35, which included five custodial torture; three (3)
(10)
journalists were allegedly beaten by the Army; two (2) journalists were allegedly
beaten by forest guards; one (1) journalist was allegedly beaten by Government
Railway Police (GRP) and one (1) by staff of a panchayat; 14 journalists were
targeted allegedly by members/supporters of political parties; 39 journalists,
including the house of one journalist was damaged and his two family members
beaten, were attacked by vigilantes/mob and unidentified persons; while six (6)
journalists were subjected to online harassment/threats.
Among the 37 journalists arrested, the maximum number were arrested/detained

in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu with five (5) each, followed by Telangana and
Uttar Pradesh with four (4) each; Jammu and Kashmir (3); two (2) each in
Gujarat and West Bengal; and one each in Assam, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh,
Manipur, Odisha, and Uttarakhand.
In 2020, journalists were arrested/detained for a number of frivolous reasons,

such as, allegedly publishing what the police/administration termed
misinformation or spreading rumour about COVID-19 or COVID-19 related
issues such as migration, hardships, starvation etc; violating COVID-19
lockdown rules despite the press having been declared an essential service
exempted under the lockdown; exposing corruptions including selling books
exposing corruption; covering protests against Citizenship Amendment Act
(CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) or reporting on them; uploading
a poem against CAA/NRC; alleged links with armed opposition groups/banned
organisations; exposing criminal nexus in cattle smuggling; publishing alleged
fake news; social media posts on Ram Mandir or ruling party politicians; alleged
extortion; obstructing public servants from discharging their duty; alleged
espionage, among others.
The laws invoked against the journalists included the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973, the Unlawful Activities
Prevention Act (UAPA) of 1967, the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897, the Disaster
Management Act of 2005, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, the Information Technology Act of 2000,
the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
(11)
(POCSO) Act of 2012, the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and the Juvenile Justice
(Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015.
With respect to the 64 FIRs filed, journalists were booked for exercising their
fundamental right to freedom of expression and opinion while reporting or
making comments in social media. Some of the reasons for which journalists
across the country were booked included sting operations conducted to expose
corruption by officials, politicians and hospitals; for reporting communal violence
or expressing opinions about communal violence; comments against CAA;
taking pictures and videos of tribals wearing masks made of palm leaves because
of the lack of masks; exposing denial of food ration to migrant workers; reporting
on hunger and starvation during COVID-19; reporting about politicians and
political parties; using pictures of a particular place along with news stories;
spreading what the authorities termed as “fake news”; uploading alleged anti-
national posts in social media; allegedly indulging in unlawful activities; allegedly
hurting religious sentiments; alleged defamation; reporting on the
mismanagement and negligence at quarantine centres; reporting regarding
problems faced by Home Guards during Covid-19; reporting about the
condition of hospitals during COVID-19; or for simply expressing opinions on
certain matters.
Both the State governments and the Central Government continued crackdown
including by denying advertisement. On 7 July 2020, the Land and Development
Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs sent a notice to
news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), asking it to pay over Rs 84 crore as a
penalty for allegedly violating the terms under which the news agency was
allotted the plot for its Parliament Street headquarters in New Delhi. The
government’s notice to PTI came two weeks after the national broadcaster Prasar
Bharati threatened to cancel its subscription of the news agency for its “anti-
national coverage” after PTI interviewed Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong amid
the border standoff between India and China.1
Suhas Chakma
Director, RRAG
(12)
2. The list of journalists and media targeted
during 2020
A total of 228 journalists and media houses were targeted during 2020 as given
in the table below:
Table 1 : List of journalists and media targeted
Sl. Name of State Number of Nature of

No. journalists/media journalists attack/
house targeted repression
in each State
1 Zubair Ahmed A&N Islands 1 Arrest
2-11 10 journalists Andhra Pradesh 11 Beaten by

including police
Chalamashetty
Srinivas
12 Mr Venkata Andhra Pradesh Vandalisation

Narayana of house by a
political leader
13 Hofe Dada Arunachal Pradesh 2 Assaulted by

unknown men
14 Tongam Rina Arunachal Pradesh Online threats
15 Bijendeep Tanti Assam 7 Murder
16 Parag Bhuyan Assam Murder
17 Arun Paul Assam Beaten by

police
(13)
18 Milan Mahanta Assam Assault by

criminals
19 Rajiv Sharma Assam Arrest
20 Manjit Mahanta Assam Registration

of FIR
21 Manash Jyoti Baruah Assam Summoned

by NIA
22 Priyanshu Kumar Bihar 4 Threatened

by mob
23 Rajan Pandey Bihar Shot at by

unknown men
24 Pawan Choudhary Bihar Arrest
25 Gulshan Kumar Bihar Registration

Mitho of FIR
26 Satender Chauhan Chandigarh 1 Attack by

cadres of
political party
27 Kamal Shukla Chhattisgarh 7 Attack by

cadres of
political party
28 Sushil Sharma Chhattisgarh Arrest
29- Three unnamed Chhattisgarh Registration

31 journalists of FIR
32 Manish Soni Chhattisgarh Registration

of FIR
33 Neeraj Shivhare Chhattisgarh Show cause

notice by
administration
(14)
34 Navin Kumar Delhi 15 Beaten by

police
35 Ahan Penkar Delhi Custodial
torture
36 Deepak Chaurasia Delhi Attack by

mob
37- Jitendra Sharma, Delhi Attack by

39 Neeraj Gaur and mob
Qamar Khan
40- Akash, Arvind Delhi Attack by

42 Gunasekar and unidentified
Saurabh men
43- Shahid Tantray, Delhi Attack by

45 Prabhjit Singh and mob
a woman journalist
46 Mahender Singh Delhi Summoned

Manral by police
47 Prashant Tandon Delhi Summoned

by police
48 Rajeev Sharma Delhi Arrest
49 Soiru Komarpant Goa 1 Beaten by

police
50 Hardik Joshi Gujarat 8 Assaulted

by mob
51 Aakar Patel Gujarat Arrest
52 Dhaval Patel Gujarat Arrest
(15)
53 Ashlin Mathew Gujarat Registration

of FIR
54- Mahendrasinh Jadeja, Gujarat Registration

57 Pratipalsinh Gohil, of FIR
Prakash Rameshbhai
and Imran Hothi
58 Akarshan Uppal Haryana 2 Attack by

unknown men
59 Naresh Khohal Haryana Arrest
60 Jagat Bains Himachal Pradesh 7 Registration

of FIRs
61 Om Sharma Himachal Pradesh Registration

of FIRs
62 Ashwani Saini Himachal Pradesh Registration

of FIRs
63 Vishal Anand Himachal Pradesh Registration

of FIRs
64 Gauri Shankar Himachal Pradesh Registration

of FIRs
65 Somdev Sharma Himachal Pradesh Registration

of FIRs
66 Vinod Dua Himachal Pradesh Registration

/Delhi of FIRs
67- Suhail Khan, Ashiq Jammu & Kashmir 18 Alleged

69 Mir and Mudasir beating
by Army
70 Gowhar Ali Wani Jammu & Kashmir Beaten by

police
(16)
71 Kamran Yousuf Jammu & Kashmir Beaten by

police
72 Faisal Bashir Jammu & Kashmir Beaten by

police
73 Auqib Javeed Jammu & Kashmir Custodial

torture
74 Mushtaq Ahmad Jammu & Kashmir Arrest

Ganai
75 Qazi Shibli Jammu & Kashmir Detention
76 Gowhar Geelani Jammu & Kashmir Registration

of FIR
77 Masrat Zahra Jammu & Kashmir Registration

of FIR
under UAPA
78- Naseer Ganai and Jammu & Kashmir Summoned

79 Haroon Nabi
80 Peerzada Ashiq Jammu & Kashmir Summoned
81- Fayaz Ahmad, Jammu & Kashmir Beaten by

83 Mudasir Qadri and police
Junaid Ahmad
84 Fahad Shah Jammu & Kashmir Summoned
85 Anand Dutta Jharkhand 2 Custodial

torture
86 Basant Sahu Jharkhand Arrest
87 Samrat Pradhan Karnataka 12 Custodial

torture
(17)
88- Nolan Pinto and Karnataka Beaten by

89 Prajwal Bhat police
90- Ravi Kumar PS, Karnataka Attack by

92 Pradeep KM and mob
Rudresh BV
93 A woman journalist Karnataka Attack by

mob
94 Rajabakshi Karnataka Arrest
95- KN Nagegowda, Karnataka Registration

98 Sunil, HS Mahesh of FIRs
and Madan
99 SV Pradeep Kerala 7 Murder
100 Jomon V Xavier Kerala Attack by

miscreants
101 Abhilash Padacherry Kerala Detention
102 Sudhir Chaudhary Kerala Registration

of FIR
103- Nisha Kerala Online

105 Purushothaman, harassment
Kamalesh KG and
Prajula Kamalesh
106 Tsewang Rigzin Ladakh 1 Arrest

107 Sunil Tiwari Madhya Pradesh 4 Murder
108 Syed Adil Wahab Madhya Pradesh Murder
109 KK Saxena Madhya Pradesh Registration

of FIR
(18)
110 Tansen Tiwari Madhya Pradesh Registration

of FIR
111 Ashish Raje Maharashtra 22 Beaten by

police
112 Narsinha Ghone Maharashtra Beaten by

police
113 Uttkarsh Chaturvedi Maharashtra Beaten by

police
114 Raghunath Bansode Maharashtra Manhandling

by police
115 Arnab Goswami Maharashtra Registration

of FIRs, arrest
& attack by
political party
cadres
116 Samyabrata Ray Maharashtra Attack by

Goswami political party
cadres
117 Balasaheb Navgire Maharashtra Attack by mob
118 Rana Ayyub Maharashtra Online threats
119 Rahul Kulkarni Maharashtra Arrest
120 Gammat Bhandari Maharashtra Arrest
121- Anuj Kumar and Maharashtra Arrest

122 Yashpaljit Singh
123 Rahul Zori Maharashtra Registration

of FIR
124- Six journalists of Maharashtra Registration

129 Divya Marathi of FIRs
(19)
130 Pradeep Bhandari Maharashtra Registration

of FIR
131 KV Kurmanath Maharashtra Summoned

by NIA
132 Vidya Krishnan Maharashtra Online threats
133 Kishorechandra Manipur 1 Arrest

Wangkhem
134 Patricia Mukhim Meghalaya 1 Registration

of FIR
135 Prasanjit Dutta Nagaland 1 Beaten by

GRP
136 Subrat Kumar Swain Odisha 7 Beaten by

police
137- Two journalists Odisha Beaten by

138 Forest guards
139 Mahadev Nayak Odisha Held hostage
by Sarpanch
140 Bibhubhusan Pati Odisha Attack by

unidentified
men
141 A journalist Odisha Attack by

(unidentified) hospital staff
142 Ramesh Rath Odisha Arrest
143 Hussan Lal Punjab 6 Attack by

supporter of a
political party
(20)
144 Major Singh Punjabi Punjab Custodial

torture
145- Chandanpreet Kaur Punjab Manhandled

146 and Surendra allegedly by
an MP
147 Gurnam Singh Sidhu Punjab Beaten by

a mob
148 Jai Singh Chibber Punjab Registration

of FIR
149 Abhishek Soni Rajasthan 5 Murder
150 Veerendra Rajpurohit Rajasthan Registration

of FIR
151 Amish Devgan Rajasthan Registration

of FIRs
152- Sharat Kumar and Rajasthan Registration

153 Lokendra Singh of FIR
154 Isravel Moses Tamil Nadu 10 Murder
155 Ezhil Tamil Nadu Beaten by

staff of a
panchayat
156 M Karthi Tamil Nadu Attack by

alleged
supporters of
a political
party
157 Aathi Suresh Tamil Nadu Attack by

cadres of a
political party
(21)
158 S Sam Pradeep Tamil Nadu Attack by

cadres of a
political party
159 V. Anbazhagan Tamil Nadu Arrest
160 Damodharan Tamil Nadu Arrest
161- Andrew Sam Raja Tamil Nadu Arrest &

163 Pandian, Jerald detention
Aruldas and M Balaji
164 Ravi Reddy Telangana 8 Beaten by

police
165 Naveen Kumar Telangana Attack by

Chintapandu activists of a
political party
166 Mr Paramesh Telangana Demolistion

of house
allegedly by
supporters of
an MLA
167 Mubashiruddin Telangana Detention

Khurram
168- Veeramalla Satyam, Telangana Arrest

170 Shiva and
Venkateshwara Rao
171 Sridharan Siddhu Telangana Registration

of FIR
172- Banti Das and Tripura 10 Attacked by

173 Sevak Deb miscreants
174 Ashish Mia Tripura Beaten by

police
(22)
175 Parashar Biswas Tripura Attacked by

mob
176- Samir Kanti Debnath Tripura Attacked by

177 and Suman Nag unidentified
men
178- Prangopal Acharya, Tripura Attacked by

180 Pintu Paul and unidentified
Biswajit Debnath men
181 Mr Prasantha Tripura Family

Charkavarti members
beaten and
house
destroyed by
mob
182 Shubham Mani Uttar Pradesh 36 Murder

Tripathi
183 Vikram Joshi Uttar Pradesh Murder
184 Suraj Pandey Uttar Pradesh Murder
185 Uday Paswan Uttar Pradesh Murder
186 Rakesh Singh Uttar Pradesh Murder
187 Ratan Singh Uttar Pradesh Murder
188 Ankit Singh Uttar Pradesh Beaten by

police
189 Asad Rizvi Uttar Pradesh Beaten by

police
190 Naveen Singh Uttar Pradesh Attacked by

activists of
political party
(23)
191 Haider Uttar Pradesh Attacked by

miscreants
192 Vinay Tiwari Uttar Pradesh Attacked by

a village head
and others
193 Ravi Choudhary Uttar Pradesh Attacked by

mob
194 Ashwini Nigam Uttar Pradesh Attacked by

unidentified
men
195 Mohammed Irfan Uttar Pradesh Arrest
196 Prashant Kanojia Uttar Pradesh Arrest
197 Santosh Jaiswal Uttar Pradesh Arrest
198 Siddique Kappan Uttar Pradesh Arrest and

jailed
199 Siddharth Uttar Pradesh Registration

Varadarajan of FIR
200- Four unnamed Uttar Pradesh Registration

203 journalists of FIR
204 Ajay Bhadauria Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
205 Ravindra Saxena Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
206 Aashish Avasthi Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
207 Supriya Sharma Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
(24)
208 Amitabh Rawat Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
209 Sankalp Neb Uttar Pradesh Registration

of FIR
210- Ashish Tomar, Uttar Pradesh Registration

214 Shakil Ahmed, of FIR
Lakhan Singh,
Aamir Khan and
Moin Ahmad
215- Vijay Vineet and Uttar Pradesh Show cause

216 Subhash Rai notice by DM
217 Manish Pandey Uttar Pradesh Summoned

by police
without notice
218 Rajesh Sharma Uttarakhand 1 Arrest
219- Shafikul Islam and West Bengal 8 Arrest

220 Suraj Ali Khan
221- Bhupendra Pratap West Bengal Registration

225 Singh, Abhishek of FIR
Singh, Hemant
Chowrasia, Ayush
Kumar Singh and
Umesh Kumar
Sharma
226 Anirban West Bengal Summoned

Chattopadhyay by police
Name of Media Houses
227 Dainik Sambad Tripura 1 Notice by DM

newspaper
(25)
228 Unnamed media Uttar Pradesh 1 Registration

institutions of FIR
Grand total 228
2.1 Women journalists targeted during 2020

Out of the 228 journalists/media organizations targeted across the country in
2020, 12 were female journalists. They faced physical violence, online harassment/
threats and cases including under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention
Act (UAPA).
The details of targeting the 12 female journalists are given below:
Table 2 : List female journalists targeted
Sl. Name of journalists State Nature of attacks

No.
1 Tongam Rina Arunachal Pradesh Online threats
2 A woman journalist Delhi Attack by mob
(unidentified)
3 Ashlin Mathew Gujarat Registration of FIR
4 Masrat Zahra Jammu & Kashmir Registration of FIR
under UAPA
5 A woman journalist Karnataka Attack by mob
(unidentified)
6 Nisha Purushothaman Kerala Online harassment
7 Samyabrata Ray Maharashtra Attack by political
Goswami party cadres
8 Rana Ayyub Maharashtra Online threats
9 Vidya Krishnan Maharashtra Online threats
10 Patricia Mukhim Meghalaya Registration of FIR

(26)
11 Chandanpreet Kaur Punjab Manhandled allegedly

by an MP
12 Supriya Sharma Uttar Pradesh Registration of FIR
(27)
3. Crackdown by the State actors
The crackdown on the journalists and media houses intensified during COVID-
19 lockdown and the Central and State governments invoked the following laws
against the journalists and media houses:
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860
• Section 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common

intention)
• Section 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment)
• Section 117 (abetting commission of an offence by the public or by

more than ten persons)
• Section 120-B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy)
• Section 121 (Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging

of war, against the Government of India)
• Section 121-A (Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section

121)
• Section 124-A (Sedition)
• Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot)
• Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on

grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language)
• Section 153-B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-

integration)
• Section 160 (committing affray),
(29)
• Section 182 (False information, with intent to cause public servant

to use his lawful power to the injury of another person)
• Section 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant),
• Section 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease

dangerous to life)
• Section 288 (Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or

repairing buildings)
• Section 290 (punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise

provided for)
• Section 294 (public acts of obscenity)
• Section 295-A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage

religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious
beliefs)
• Section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease

dangerous to life)
• Section 294 ( Obscene acts and songs)
• Section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt)
• Section 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others).
• Section 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint)
• Section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from

discharge of his duty)
• Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to

outrage her modesty)
• Section 384 (punishment for extortion)
• Section 385 (putting person in fear of injury in order to commit

extortion)
(30)
• sections 388 (extortion)
• section 389 (putting person in fear of accusation of offence, in order

to commit extortion)
• Section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property)
• Section 448 (Punishment for house-trespass
• Section 451 (House-trespass in order to commit offence punishable

with imprisonment)
• Section 452 ( House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or

wrongful restraint)
• Section 465 (Punishment for forgery)
• Section 467 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc)
• Section 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating)
• Section 469 (Forgery for purpose of harming reputation)
• Section 471 (Using as genuine a forged document or electronic

record)
• Section 500 (defamation)
• Section 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory)
• Section 503 (criminal intimidation)
• Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of

peace),
• Section 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief)
• Section 505(1) (statement conducing public mischief)
• Section 505(1)(b) (Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any

statement, rumour or report, with intent to cause, or which is likely
to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public
(31)
whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against

the State or against the public tranquillity)
• Section 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or

ill-will between classes)
• Section 505(3) (Offence under sub-section (2) committed in place

of worship, etc.)
• Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation)
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
• Section 107 (Security for keeping the peace in other cases)
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
• Section 3 (Penalty. Any person disobeying any regulation or order

made under this Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence
punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code)
The Disaster Management Act, 2005
• Section 51 (Punishment for obstruction, etc.)
• Section 54 (Punishment for false warning)
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
• Sections 3(1)(d) (whoever not being a member of a Scheduled Caste

or a Scheduled Tribe “garlands with footwear or parades naked or semi-
naked a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe”
• Section 3(1)(r) (whoever not being a member of a Scheduled Caste

or a Scheduled Tribe “intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to
humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe in any
place within public view)
The Information Technology Act, 2000
- Section 66 (Computer related offences)
(32)
- Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic

form)
- Section 67A (obscenity)
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• Section 192 (Using vehicle without registration)
• Section 196 (Driving uninsured vehicle)
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967
• Section 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities)
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
• Section 23 (Procedure for media)
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Section 74 (Prohibition on disclosure of identity of children)
The Official Secrets Act, 1923
The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984
3.1. Arrest and detention

During 2020, at least 37 journalists were arrested or detained under various
charges across the country. Several others were
Majority of the journalists
given relief from being arrested by the courts were arrested for reports
including the Supreme Court. Most journalists relating to COVID -19.
arrested/detained were in Maharashtra and Four journalists were
Tamil Nadu with five (5) each, followed by arrested for sedition. While
Telangana and Uttar Pradesh with four (4) each; a journalist, Siddique
two (2) each in Jammu and Kashmir; Gujarat Kappan, was arrested on his
and West Bengal; and one (1) each in Assam, way to Hathras to report on
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Bihar, rape and murder of a Dalit
girl, continued to be in jail
Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Haryana,
at the year’s end.
(33)
Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Manipur, Odisha and Uttarakhand.
Journalists were arrested/detained for a number of reasons, namely, allegedly

publishing what the police/administration termed misinformation or spreading
rumour about COVID-19 or COVID-19 related issues such as migration,
hardships, starvation etc; violating COVID-19 lockdown rules despite the press
having been declared an essential service exempted under the lockdown; exposing
corruptions including selling books exposing corruption; covering protests
against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of
Citizens (NRC); uploading a poem against CAA/NRC; alleged links with armed
opposition groups/banned organisations; exposing criminal nexus in cattle
smuggling; publishing alleged fake news; social media posts on Ram Mandir or
ruling party politicians; alleged extortion; obstructing public servants from
discharging their duty; alleged espionage, among others.
Table 3 : List of journalists arrested/detained
Name of State Charges for arrest/ No. of

journalists detention journalists
V. Anbazhagan Tamil Nadu Sections 341 and 506 IPC 1
Mubashiruddin Telangana Sections 147, 341, 353, 1

Khurram 188, 149 IPC, and under
Prevention of Damage to
Public Property Act
Rajabaksh Karnataka Section 505 IPC 1
Pawan Bihar On charges of spreading 1

Choudhary misinformation about death
of a COVID-19 patient
Damodharan Tamil Nadu Cheating, forgery and 1
preventing a public servant
from discharging his duty
Mushtaq Jammu & On charges of violating 1

Ahmad Ganai Kashmir COVID-19 lockdown rules
(34)
Rahul Kulkarni Maharashtra Spreading misinformation 1

about a train during the
COVID-19 lockdown
Andrew Sam Tamil Nadu Sections 188 and 505(1) 3

Raja Pandian, IPC and Section 3 of the
Jerald Aruldas Epidemic Diseases Act
and M Balaji
Basant Sahu Jharkhand Asking a DC about 1

Covid-19 case and
circulating DC’s purported
denial on news channels
and social media
Sushil Sharma Chhattishgarh For a report on corruption 1
Zubair Ahmed A&N Islands Sections 188, 269 and 1

505(1), and Sections 51
and 54 of the Disaster
Management Act, 2005
Abhilash Kerala Alleged link with Maoists 1

Padacherry
Naresh Khohal Haryana Sections 160, 188, 269 and 1

270 IPC, and Section 51
of the Disaster Management
Act, 2005
Dhaval Patel Gujarat Section 124A (Sedition) 1
IPC and Section 54 of
Disaster Management Act,
2005
Mohammed Uttar Pradesh Section 151 of Code of 1

Irfan Criminal Procedure
(35)
Shafikul Islam West Bengal On charges of alleged 2

and Suraj extortion
Ali Khan
Veeramalla Telangana Section 505 IPC and 3

Satyam, Shiva Section 54 of the Disaster
and Management Act
Venkateshwara
Rao
Rajiv Sharma Assam Sections 389, 384, 385, 1

354 and 506 IPC
Gammat Maharashtra Several sections including 1

Bhandari a few non-bailable of the
IPC and the Epidemic
Diseases Act
Qazi Shibli Jammu and Section 107 CrPC 1

Kashmir
Rajesh Sharma Uttarakhand Sections 420, 467, 468, 1

469, 471, 120-B, 124-A
(sedition) IPC
Prashant Kanojia Uttar Pradesh Sections 153-A, 153-B, 420, 1

465, 468, 469, 500, 505(1)
(b) and 505(2) IPC and
Section 66 of IT Act, 2008
Tsewang Rigzin UT of Ladakh For comments by an 1
unknown person on his
Facebook group against a
BJP leader
(36)
Santosh Jaiswal Uttar Pradesh On charges of extortion 1

and obstructing public
servants from discharging
their duty
Anuj Kumar and Maharashtra Sections 452, 448, 323, 2

Yashpaljit Singh 504, 506 and 34 IPC
Aakar Patel Gujarat Sections 153 A, 295 A, 505 1

(1) B, 505 (1) C, 499 and
500 IPC
Rajeev Sharma Delhi Officials Secret Act 1
Kishorechandra Manipur 124-A (sedition), 153A, 1

Wangkhem 503 IPC and 3(1)(r) of SC
and ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989
Siddique Uttar Pradesh Sections 124A (sedition), 1

Kappan 153A and 295A IPC and
Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act
Ramesh Rath Odisha Charged for allegedly 1

circulating an obscene
video in 2019
Arnab Goswami Maharashtra Abetment of suicides of an 1

architect and his mother
Total 37
The details of the cases are given below.
Case 1: V. Anbazhagan, Tamil Nadu
On 12 January 2020, V. Anbazhagan, a journalist, was arrested after he displayed

a book titled ‘Corruption Book of Chennai Corporation’ dealing with the Tamil
(37)
Nadu government’s alleged corrupt activities at a book fair in Chennai. The

authorities allegedly forced the organizer of the book fair, “Booksellers’ & Publishers’
Association of South India” to remove the journalist’s stall on 11 January 2020.
Although the journalist vacated the stall, an FIR was lodged against him.2 He
was booked under sections 341 and 506 of the IPC and remanded to 10 days
judicial custody by the local court.3
Case 2: Mubashiruddin Khurram, Telangana
On 8 February 2020, Mubashiruddin Khurram, a journalist with Urdu daily

Siasat, was detained by the police in Hyderabad, Telangana while covering a
protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register
of Citizen (NRC). Accusing him of being behind the protest, police detained
him for 15 hours. He was allegedly questioned for being active on Twitter and
also for being seen with Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad during the
latter’s visit to Hyderabad.4 Mubashir, along with others, were booked by police
under Sections 147 (Rioting), 341 (Wrongful restraint), 353 (Assault or criminal
force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 188 (Disobedience to
order duly promulgated by public servant) read with 149 (Member of unlawful
assembly), of the IPC, and under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property
Act, 1984.5
Case 3: Rajabakshi, Karnataka
On 18 February 2020, Rajabakshi, editor of an online news portal, was arrested

along with a poet in connection with recital of a poem against the CAA and the
NRC at a function in Gangavathi town in Koppal district, Karnataka. Siraj Bisaralli,
the poet had allegedly recited an anti-CAA poem at the function held in January
2020 which was shared in social media by the journalist. On the basis of a
complaint filed by a BJP functionary, they were booked under section 505 of the
IPC (statements conducing to public mischief).6
Case 4: Pawan Choudhary, Bihar
On 6 April 2020, Pawan Choudhary (30 years), a journalist for an online portal,
was arrested in Munger, Bihar on the charges of spreading misinformation about
death of a COVID-19 patient. He was sent to Munger jail.7
(38)
Case 5: Damodharan, Tamil Nadu
On 7 April 2020, Damodharan, a TV journalist, was arrested by the police after

he shot visuals of a pharmacy staff handing out medicines to patients without a
doctor’s prescription at Minjur Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Minjur, Tamil
Nadu. He was labelled a ‘fake journalist. Acting on a complaint filed by a doctor
of the PHC, the police booked him for charges, which included, cheating, forgery
and preventing a public servant from discharging his duty.8
Case 6: Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai, Jammu & Kashmir
On 11 April 2020, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai (34 years), a prominent journalist

working for The Kashmir Observer, was arrested for allegedly violating COVID-
19 lockdown rules and detained for two days at Sumbal police station in
Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir. Police intercepted his car despite showing
documents including his press card. The Station House Officer (SHO) identified
as Muneeb-ul-Islam allegedly slapped him several times and another policeman
accompanying the SHO beat him with stick. He was granted bail by the local
court after two days of detention.9
Case 7: Rahul Kulkarni, Maharashtra
On 15 April 2020, Rahul Kulkarni, TV journalist with ABP Majha, was arrested
by police in Mumbai, Maharashtra for allegedly spreading misinformation about
a train for migrants leaving Bandra station during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The FIR was filed against Kulkarni after a large crowd of migrants, stranded in
the city due to the countrywide lockdown, gathered outside Bandra railway station
on 14 April 2020 under the impression that a train was leaving for their
hometowns in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In August 2020, the police dropped the
case against the journalist citing “mistake in facts”.10
Case 8: Andrew Sam Raja Pandian, Jerald Aruldas and M Balaji, Tamil
Nadu
On 23 April 2020, Andrew Sam Raja Pandian, founder of news portal SimpliCity,
was arrested by police in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu for publishing news reports
related to COVID-19. The news portal had published two stories relating to
(39)
doctors facing shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) kit at the

Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and diversion of ration items by employees
of Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. After the publication of the reports,
M. Sundararajan, Assistant Commissioner (Personal) of the Coimbatore
Corporation filed a complaint against the portal and Pandian saying the report
was ‘false’ and ‘provocative’ and that it would cause unrest amongst doctors and
ration shops’ employees. Based on the complaint, Pandian was questioned and
later arrested under Sections 188 and 505(1) of the IPC and Section 3 of the
Epidemic Diseases Act.11 The police had also detained and questioned the
photographers for the portal - Jerald Aruldas and M Balaji for nine hours. Pandian
was released on bail on 28 April 2021.12
Case 9: Basant Sahu, Jharkhand
On 24 May 2020, journalist Basant Sahu, working with a vernacular daily in

Jharkhand, was arrested allegedly for asking from the Deputy Commissioner
(DC) of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, A. Dodde about the first COVID-19 case
in the district. The journalist had allegedly circulated the recording of the DC
denying COVID-19 case in the district. He was sent to judicial custody at Seraikela
Divisional jail.13
Case 10: Sushil Sharma, Chhattisgarh
On 23 May 2020, Sushil Sharma, editor of Bastar Bandhu, was arrested after an
FIR was registered against him for a report on corruption in Kanker, Chhattisgarh.
He was later released on a personal bond of Rs. 5000.14
Case 11: Zubair Ahmed, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
On 27 April 2020, Zubair Ahmed, a freelance journalist, was arrested by police

in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for posting a tweet questioning the local
administration’s quarantine policies. The tweet reportedly referred to a news
article which reported that a family was quarantined as one of the members
spoke to a COVID-19 positive person on phone. The administration stated that
the journalist “posted an inciting, false and instigating tweet to disrupt public
harmony, violating government order and to create panic among the public.”15
(40)
Zubair was charged under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated
by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease
dangerous to life) and 505 (1) that relates to publishing or circulating any
statement, rumour or report of the IPC, and under sections 51 (and 54 of the
Disaster Management Act, 2005. He was released on bail by a local court on 28
April 2020.16
Case 12: Abhilash Padacherry, Kerala
On 1 May 2020, journalist Abhilash Padachery of Kozhikode, Kerala was detained

by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with two youths on the
charges of having links with the Maoists in Kerala. The NIA claimed that several
documents supporting Left-wing extremism and Communist Party of India-
Maoist were recovered from them. Abhilash was released on the same day but
was summoned again for questioning on the next day. Abhilash denied having
any link with the Maoists.17
Case 13: Naresh Khohal, Haryana
On the night of 7 May 2020, Naresh Khohal, a photo journalist with a Hindi
daily in Jhajjar, Haryana informed the local police about stone pelting in his
neighbourhood. When the police did not reach the spot, Khohal went to the
Jhajjar City police station and returned with a police team. However, the police
arrested him later for “creating nuisance” and booked him under sections 160,
188, 269 and 270 of the IPC and section 51 of the Disaster Management Act.
The case was registered on the complaint of Sandeep Kumar, a head constable at
Jhajjar City police station. A government enquiry found that the FIR against the
journalist was “not appropriate”.18
Case 14: Dhaval Patel, Gujarat
On the night of 11 May 2020, Dhaval Patel, editor of online Gujarati news portal,
Face of Nation, was arrested for publishing a report on possible change in leadership
in Gujarat due to criticisms over rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State.
In his report, Patel claimed that Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was
summoned by the BJP high command and that there was likelihood to replace
(41)
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. He was booked under section 124A (Sedition) of
the IPC and section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. On 6 November
2020, the Gujarat High Court quashed the sedition case after Patel filed an
unconditional apology “without admission of any guilt” for the offending article.
Patel had remained in Sabarmati Central Jail for 15 days.19
Case 15: Mohammed Irfan, Uttar Pradesh
On 14 May 2020, Mohammed Irfan, a journalist with Jansadesh Times, was

allegedly harassed, arrested and jailed for taking photographs at a Covid-19
screening centre for migrants set up at Harua block in Varanasi district, Uttar
Pradesh. He was sent to Baragaon police station by the district officials, where
he was allegedly questioned for two hours, photographs on his phone deleted
and charged under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The journalist
secured bail on 12 June 2020.20
Case 16: Shafikul Islam and Suraj Ali Khan, West Bengal
On 28 June 2020, Shafikul Islam, editor and owner of Arambagh TV and reporter
Suraj Ali Khan were arrested on the charges of alleged extortion by police at
Arambagh in Hoogly district, West Bengal. Shafikul Islam’s wife Alima Khatun
was also arrested. The journalists had covered corruption allegations in connection
with relief funds for Cyclone Amphan.21 On 14 August 2020, Shafikul Islam,
Alima Khatun and Suraj Ali Khan were granted bail by the Calcutta High Court.22
Case 17: Veeramalla Satyam, Shiva and Venkateshwara Rao, Telangana
On 6 July 2020, Veeramalla Satyam, editor of Telugu newspaper Aaadab

Telangana, Shiva, a sub-editor from Hyderabad and reporter Venkateshwara
Rao from Khammam were arrested for allegedly publishing fake news and
spreading rumours about the health status of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar
Rao. The newspaper had published a news report that the Chief Minister had
tested positive for coronavirus. The police registered a case under Section 505
of the IPC and Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act against the publication
and the editor based on a complaint filed by a person.23
(42)
Case 18: Rajiv Sharma, Assam
On 16 July 2020, Rajiv Sharma, General Secretary of Dhubri Press Club and
correspondent for a vernacular news channel DY365, was arrested by police for
reporting against cattle smuggling in Assam. Sharma was arrested in a case (No
903/2020) registered at Dhubri police station under sections 389, 384, 385,
354 and 506 of the IPC on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Dhubri Divisional
Forest Officer (DFO), Biswajit Roy.24 Unable to bear the pain of his son’s arrest,
Sharma’s 64-year-old father died of cardiac arrest on the same day. Following
widespread condemnation, the Assam Police started a Crime Investigation
Department (CID) investigation into his arrest.25
Case 19: Gammat Bhandari, Maharashtra
On 22 July 2020, Gammat Bhandari, a publisher, editor and journalist of

Parshwabhoomi, was arrested by a police team from his office and taken to a police
station in Beed, Maharashtra. He was booked under several sections including a
few non-bailable charges of the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act for publishing
a report about a police officer who violated lockdown restrictions. He was sent
to judicial custody and released a day later.26
Case 20: Qazi Shibli, Jammu & Kashmir
On 31 July 2020, Qazi Shibli, editor of The Kashmiriyat, an Anantnag based

news website, was detained at Shergari police station in Srinagar, Jammu and
Kashmir. He was summoned by the cyber police, Srinagar for questioning. The
family of the editor also travelled along with him but they were told to return
home as he was detained. He was booked under section 107 CrPC (Security for
keeping the peace in other cases) and was sent to judicial custody at Srinagar
Central Jail on 3 August 2020. Qazi was also arrested in July 2019 under the
Public Safety Act and detained at a jail in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh for nine months.
He was released on 13 April 2020 after his detention was commuted during the
decongestion of jails across India.27
(43)
Case 21: Rajesh Sharma, Uttarakhand
On the night of 31 July 2020, Rajesh Sharma, a journalist, was arrested on the
basis of an FIR filed by a doctor at the Nehru Colony police station in Dehradun,
Uttarakhand. The complainant, Dr Harendra Rawat alleged that the journalist
had tarnished his image and his wife Dr Savita Rawat by publishing fake news
against them. Police booked Sharma under Sections 420, 467, 468, 469, 471,
120-B, 124-A (sedition) of the IPC. On 3 September 2020, the Uttarakhand
High Court granted interim bail to Sharma. The High Court said that slapping
sedition charge against the journalist was disturbing.28
Case 22: Prashant Kanojia, Uttar Pradesh
On 18 August 2020, Prashant Kanojia, a Delhi-based freelance journalist, was

arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police from his Delhi residence in connection with
two FIRs registered at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for
sharing distorted posts about Ram Mandir in social media. He was booked under
sections 153-A, 153-B, 420, 465, 468, 469, 500, 505(1)(b) and 505(2) of the
IPC and section 66 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008.29
On 21 October 2020, the Allahabad High Court released him on bail.30 Earlier
on 7 April 2020, the Uttar Pradesh Police lodged an FIR against Prashant Kanojia
for allegedly making ‘objectionable remarks’ against Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on social media and booked him under
sections 500, 501 and 505(1)(b) of the IPC and sections of the Information
Technology Act.31
Case 23: Tsewang Rigzin, UT of Ladakh
On 5 September 2020, Tsewang Rigzin, a correspondent from Leh for the

Jammu-based daily State Times, was arrested by the Ladakh Police on the basis of
a complaint lodged by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP)
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. Rigzin was arrested as an administrator of the
Facebook group, ‘Ladakh in the Media’ after a member, whom the police failed
to trace, had posted a comment in the group on the BJP legislator on 3 September
2020. Rigzin was granted bail on the same evening.32
(44)
Case 24: Santosh Jaiswal, Uttar Pradesh
On 4 September 2020, journalist Santosh Jaiswal was arrested on false charges

of extortion and obstructing public servants from discharging their duty after he
took photographs of some children mopping the floor at Oodpur primary school
in Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. The police took both the journalist and the
school principal, Radhey Shyam Yadav to the police station, where the school
principal lodged a complaint against Jaiswal alleging that he came to the school
and ordered some school children to mop the floor and took their photographs.33
Case 25: Anuj Kumar and Yashpaljit Singh, Maharashtra
In early September 2020, Anuj Kumar and Yashpaljit Singh, reporter and video
journalist respectively with Republic TV were arrested along with their driver
Pradeep Dilip Dhanavade for allegedly trespassing on the farmhouse of Chief
Minister Uddhav Thackeray at Bhilavale in Raigad district, Maharashtra. They
were booked under sections 452, 448, 323, 504, 506 and 34 of the IPC.34
Case 26: Aakar Patel, Gujarat
On 22 September 2020, journalist Aakar Patel was arrested by police in

connection with an FIR filed by a BJP MLA in Surat, Gujarat for posting tweets.
In his complaint, the BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) alleged that
Patel published three tweets that were objectionable to the Ghanchi community
in Gujarat. The FIR was registered under Sections 153 A, 295 A, 505 (1) B, 505
(1) C, 499 and 500 of the IPC.35 Earlier on 4 June 2020, an FIR was registered
against journalist and human rights activist Aakar Patel by police in Bangalore,
Karnataka for allegedly suggesting that marginalised groups like Muslims, Dalit,
Advasis and women in India should emulate the protests being held in the United
States against the police’s killing of an African-American man named George
Floyd. He was booked under sections 505(1)(b), 153 and 117 of the IPC.36
Case 27: Rajeev Sharma, Delhi
On 14 September 2020, Rajeev Sharma (61 years), a freelance journalist, was

arrested in an espionage case under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 for allegedly
(45)
passing on sensitive information to Chinese intelligence in exchange for money.

Sharma was granted bail by the Delhi High Court on 4 December 2020.37
Case 28: Kishorechandra Wangkhem, Manipur
On 29 September 2020, journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem was arrested by

police on the charge of sedition for his comment on a social media on the basis
of a complaint filed by the Maram Women’s Union (MWU) at Senapati police
station in Manipur. MWU accused the journalist of using “communally
derogatory remark against the Maram tribe. Police booked him under sections
124-A (sedition), 153A, 503 of the IPC and 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. On 12 September 2020,
the Senapati sessions court granted him anticipatory bail till 28 September 2020.
But he was rearrested immediately after his bail expired.38 He was lodged at the
Senapati jail and released on bail by Special Judge, Senapati on 8 December
2020. Kishorchandra and his wife accused the State Government of Manipur of
vendetta.39
Case 29: Siddique Kappan, Uttar Pradesh
On 5 October 2020, Siddique Kappan (41 years), Secretary of the Kerala Union
of Working Journalists (KUWJ) and working with Malayalam news websites
like azhimukham.com, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police from a toll plaza in
Mathura while he was going to Hathras to meet the kin of the deceased Dalit
woman who was killed after gang rape by four upper-caste men in September
2020. Kappan was booked under the UAPA and charged with sedition for alleged
links with the Popular Front of India and its students’ organisation, Campus
Front of India.40 He was denied bail and continued to be in jail at the year’s end.
Case 30: Ramesh Rath, Odisha
On 15 October 2020, Ramesh Rath, senior reporter of Odisha Television (OTV),

was arrested by police in Keonjhar district, Odisha. He was allegedly charged
with having circulated an obscene video in 2019.41 OTV alleged that the journalist
was targeted after OTV telecast an expose on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s
claims of an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of the state, which was based on
(46)
information gathered throught Right to Inforamtion Act. The channel reported

that Patnaik’s flying time was just 19 minutes. Rath was later released and asked
to report to a police station in Keonjhar district on 21 October 2020.42
Case 31: Arnab Goswami, Maharashtra
On 4 November 2020, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV, was

arrested by the Mumbai Police in connection with abetment of suicides of an
architect and his mother in 2018 that was reopened by the Maharashtra Police.43
He was released from Taloja Central Jail on interim bail granted by the Supreme
Court on 11 November 2020.44 Earlier on 22 April 2020 and 2 May 2020
respectively, two FIRs were registered against Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief
of the Republic TV, by the Mumbai Police under Sections 153-A and 295-A of
the IPC in connection with a TV show aired on 29 April 2020 regarding his
comments on migrants gathering outside Bandra railway station on 14 April
2020. Further, multiple FIRs were filed against him in various States including
in Maharashtra over a TV show aired on 21 April 2020, wherein he questioned
Congress President Sonia Gandhi regarding the mob lynching of two sadhus
(Hindu priests) and their driver in Palghar, Maharashtra.45 On 19 May 2020, the
Supreme Court stayed the multiple FIRs filed against him except the initial FIR
registered in Nagpur, Maharashtra.46
3.2. Registration of FIRs

Apart from the arrested journalists, First Inforamtion Reports were registered
against 64 journalists and media organisations across the country during 2020.
These included FIRs against 63 journalists and one (1) FIR against an unnamed
media organisations. In some cases, multiple FIRs were lodged against some
journalists in different states.
Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of FIRs registered against journalists
with 17 including one FIR against media institutions; followed by Maharashtra
(8); Himachal Pradesh (7); Gujarat and West Bengal (5 each); Chhattisgarh,
Karnataka and Rajasthan (4 each); Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh (2
each);and Assam; Bihar; Kerala; Meghalaya; Punjab; and Telangana (1 each).
(47)
Journalists were booked for exercising their During 2020,

fundamental right to freedom of expression and police registered FIRs
opinion while reporting or making comments against 63 journalists
in social media. Some of the reasons for which across the country. Uttar
journalists across the country were booked Pradesh reported the
included sting operations conducted to expose highest with 17 FIRs.
corruption by officials, politicians and hospitals; In some cases, multiple
FIRs were lodged against
for reporting communal violence or expressing
a journalist within a
opinions about communal violence; comments
State or in different
against CAA; taking pictures and videos of
states.
tribals wearing masks made of palm leaves
because of the lack of masks; exposing denial of
food ration to migrant workers; reporting on hunger and starvation during
COVID-19; reporting about politicians and political parties; using pictures of a
particular place along with news stories; spreading what the authorities termed
as “fake news”; uploading alleged anti-national posts in social media; allegedly
indulging in unlawful activities; allegedly hurting religious sentiments; alleged
defamation; reporting on the mismanagement and negligence at quarantine
centres; reporting regarding problems faced by Home Guards during Covid-
19; reporting about the condition of hospitals during COVID-19; or for simply
expressing opinions on certain matters.
Table 4 : List of journalists against whom FIRs were filed
Name of journalists State Charges No. of

journalists
Bhupendra Pratap West Bengal Alleged extortion 5

Singh, Abhishek Singh,
Hemant Chowrasia,
Ayush Kumar Singh
and Umesh Kumar
Sharma
Sridharan Siddhu Telangana Section 153-A IPC 1
(48)
Manjit Mahanta Assam Sections 120-B, 1

121-A, 121, 294,
353, 505 and 34 IPC 1
Three unnamed Chhattisgarh Section 188 IPC 3

journalists
KK Saxena Madhya Sections 188, 269 1

Pradesh and 270 IPC
Jagat Bains Himachal Sections 188, 269 1

Pradesh and 270 IPC
Om Sharma Himachal Section 54 of the 1

Pradesh Disaster Management
Act, 2005 and
Sections 182, 188,
269 and 336 IPC, and
Section 188 of the
IPC and Section 66
of IT Act, 2000
Siddharth Varadarajan Uttar Pradesh Sections 188 and 1

505(2) IPC
Ashlin Mathew Gujarat Sections 295, 505-1 1

(B), 35 and 120 B
IPC
Ashwani Saini Himachal Section 188, 451, 1

Pradesh 504 and 506 IPC and
Section 54 of the
Disaster Management
Act, and Sections 192
and 196 of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988
(49)
Vishal Anand Himachal Accused of 1

Pradesh misrepresentation
Four unnamed Uttar Pradesh Sections 505(1)(b) 4

journalists and 188 IPC
Masrat Zahra Jammu & Section 13 UAPA 1

Kashmir and section 505 IPC
Gowhar Geelani Jammu & Accused of indulging 1

Kashmir in unlawful activities
through social media
that are “prejudicial to
the national integrity,
sovereignty and
security of India
KN Nagegowda, Sunil, Karnataka Alleged assault and 4

HS Mahesh and Madan abuse of an MLC
Gauri Shankar Himachal Accused of spreading 1

Pradesh fake news by the SDM
Sudhir Chaudhary Kerala Section 295A IPC 1
Gulshan Kumar Mitho Bihar Accused of disturbing 1

public order
Ajay Bhadauria Uttar Pradesh Accused of circulating 1

false news
Somdev Sharma Himachal Accused of writing a 1

false report
Rahul Zori Maharashtra Penal sections for 1

obstructing a public
servant from doing
his duty, defamation,
(50)
publishing matter that

is known to be
defamatory
Ravindra Saxena Uttar Pradesh SC and ST 1

(Prevention of
Atrocities) Act and
Disaster Management
Act
Aashish Avasthi Uttar Pradesh FIR filed for 1

reporting about
problems being faced
by Home Guards in
Uttar Pradesh
Jai Singh Chibber Punjab Section 188 and 1

505 IPC and Section
67A of IT Act
Tansen Tiwari Madhya Section 294 and 500 1

Pradesh IPC and Section 67
of IT Act
Veerendra Rajpurohit Rajasthan Sections 388, 116, 1

500, 501, 506 IPC
and IT Act
Vinod Dua Himachal Sections 290, 505, 1

Pradesh, Delhi 505(2) and 124A IPC
Supriya Sharma Uttar Pradesh Sections 269, 501 1

IPC and Sections 3
(1)(d) and 3(1)(r)
of SC and ST
(Prevention of
Atrocities) Act
(51)
Amish Devgan Rajasthan Sections 295A, 153A, 1

505 and 34 IPC
Unnamed media Uttar Pradesh Sections 188, 505 1

institutions and 288 IPC; Section
23 of POCSO Act,
Section 74 of Juvenile
Justice Act, 2015 and
Section 3 of Epidemic
Diseases Act
Six journalists of Maharashtra Alleged mis-reporting 6

Divya Marathi and rumour-
mongering
Patricia Mukhim Meghalaya Section 153A, 500 1

and 505(3) IPC
Amitabh Rawat Uttar Pradesh Sections 506, 504, 1

389, and 385 IPC and
Section 67 of IT Act
Sankalp Neb Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Diseases 1

Act and IT Act
Manish Soni Chhattisgarh Sections 153-A, 1

153-B and 504 IPC
Ashish Tomar, Shakil Uttar Pradesh Sections 153A, 268 5

Ahmed, Lakhan Singh, and 503 IPC and
Aamir Khan and Moin Section 66A of IT
Ahmad Act
Sharat Kumar and Rajasthan Alleged circulating 2

Lokendra Singh wrong or non-verified
news, conspiracy and
under IT Act
(52)
Pradeep Bhandari Maharashtra Sections 353, 1

188 IPC
Mahendrasinh Jadeja, Gujarat IT Act, obstructing 4

Pratipalsinh Gohil, public servant in
Prakash Rameshbhai discharging public
and Imran Hothi functions, etc
Total 64
The details of FIRs lodged against 64 journalists including one case against an
unnamed media institution across India during 2020 are given below.
Case 1: Bhupendra Pratap Singh, Abhishek Singh, Hemant Chowrasia,

Ayush Kumar Singh and Umesh Kumar Sharma, West Bengal
On 2 January 2020, Kolkata Police registered an FIR against four senior TV

journalists namely Bhupendra Pratap Singh, Abhishek Singh, Hemant Chowrasia
and Ayush Kumar Singh after they carried out a sting operation to videograph
state ministers and Trinamool Congress MLAs allegedly taking bribes. The police
claimed the journalists were trying to extort money from the politicians. Later,
name of another senior journalist Umesh Kumar Sharma was added to the FIR.
On 10 February 2020, the Supreme Court restrained the West Bengal Police
from arresting them.47
Case 2: Sridharan Siddhu, Telangana
On 31 January 2020, Sridharan Siddhu, a Hyderabad-based journalist, was

booked by police on charges of spreading religious hatred for his report on the
communal violence that took place on the night of 12 January 2020 in Bhaisna
town in Adilabad district, Telangana. The FIR (No. 49/2020) against the
journalist was registered under section 153-A of the IPC after he posted an
investigative video report on his Facebook account on 29 January relating to the
communal violence.48
(53)
Case 3: Manjit Mahanta, Assam
In February 2020, a sedition case was registered against senior journalist Manjit
Mahanta at Tinsukia police station in Assam for his comment against the CAA at
a rally at Panitola in Tinsukia district. Police suo motu registered the case (No
158/2020) under sections 120-B, 121-A, 121, 294, 353, 505 and 34 of the
IPC. The police sent a summon to him with the direction to appear before
Gitanagar police station in Guwahati. The journalist was also booked for sedition
for his comments on the citizenship bill in January 2019.49
Case 4: Three unnamed journalists, Chhattisgarh
In March 2020, the Chhattisgarh police registered a case against three journalists
(names not disclosed by the police in the FIR) for taking pictures and videos of
tribals wearing masks made of palm leaves during COVID-19 at Amabeda village
in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. The journalists were booked under section 188
of the IPC at Amabeda police station after the pictures went viral in social media.50
Case 5: KK Saxena, Madhya Pradesh
On 27 March 2020, an FIR was lodged in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh against

journalist KK Saxena for having attended Congress leader Kamal Nath’s last
press conference as chief minster on 20 March 2020 despite her daughter being
a Covid suspect.51 The journalist was booked under sections 188 (disobedience
to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread
infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread
infection of disease dangerous to life) of the IPC.52
Case 6: Jagat Bains, Himachal Pradesh
In March-April 2020, three FIRs were registered against Jagat Bains (34 years),
a reporter with News18 Himachal, for his reporting on COVID-19 related issues
including denial of ration to the migrant workers in Solan district, Himachal
Pradesh. On 30 March 2020, the police registered an FIR against him for
reporting about rations not reaching to migrant workers in parts of Nalagarh
subdivision in Solan district. His curfew pass was also revoked. Another FIR
was registered for his report dated 25 April 2020 about denial of rations to the
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migrant workers in Sallewal village in the district. The report made desired impact
as the district administration supplied ration the next day but Bains was booked
under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC. The third FIR was filed against Mr
Bains for a report he did on 23 April 2020 where he had reported on private
vehicles mysteriously crossing the sealed borders in Baddi subdivision on the
night of 22 April 2020. The FIR stated that Bains “Press reporter Bains circulated
videos of the administration without any reason. He also violated lockdown
guidelines.”53
Case 7: Om Sharma, Himachal Pradesh
In March-April 2020, three FIRs were registered against journalist Om Sharma

(38 years), a reporter for Divya Himachal, for his reporting on the COVID-19
related issues in Himachal Pradesh. On 29 March 2020, police filed an FIR
against Sharma for reporting live on Facebook from Baddi, an industrial town
in Solan district, about hunger faced by the migrant workers who were protesting
on the roadside. The FIR termed Sharma’s reporting as “sensational/fake news
on social media” and he was booked under section 54 of the Disaster Management
Act, 2005 and sections 182, 188, 269 and 336 of the IPC. Subsequently, two
more FIRs were registered against Sharma. On 26 April 2020, police registered
an FIR against him for sharing a report from the Hindi daily Amar Ujala on
Facebook which claimed that the government had ordered businesses to close
down for a few months in case any employee tested positive for the corona
virus. He was booked under Sections 182 and 188 of the IPC and Section 54 of
the Disaster Management Act. Another FIR was registered on 27 April 2020 for
criticizing the administration of Solan district for creating confusion with respect
to curfew relaxation, and he was booked under Section 188 of the IPC and
Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.54
Case 8: Siddharth Varadarajan, Uttar Pradesh
On 1 April 2020, the Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR against Siddharth
Varadarajan, one of the founding editors of news website, The Wire, under Sections
188 and 505(2) of the IPC for reporting that State Chief Minister Adityanath
had attended a public religious event in Ayodhya on 25 March 2020 after the
(55)
Prime Minister had announced a national lockdown to deal with the Coronavirus.
The FIR was filed in Faizabad based on the complaint of an individual.55
Case 9: Ashlin Mathew, Gujarat
On 14 April 2020, Ashlin Mathew, news editor of National Herald newspaper,

was booked along with former Indian Administrative Service officer Kannan
Gopinathan and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan by Rajkot police, Gujarat for
posting and retweeting a tweet on 28 March 2020. As per the FIR lodged at
Bhaktinagar police station based on a complaint by an army veteran, the tweet
“insulted a religion with intention to create fear or alarm among people”. The
FIR was filed under sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with
intention to insult the religion of any class), 505 (1) (B) (intent to cause fear or
alarm among public), 35 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common
intention) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.56
Case 10: Ashwani Saini, Himachal Pradesh
In April 2020, five FIRs were registered against journalist Ashwani Saini in Mandi
district, Himachal Pradesh. On 8 April 2020, Saini, who contributes video reports
for the Facebook Page Mandi Live and freelances for Dainik Jagran, was booked
under Section 188 of the IPC and Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act
for reporting on the failure of the administration to supply rations to migrant
workers in Bharajwanoo village under Sundernagar subdivision in Mandi district.
The FIR was filed by Rahul Chauhan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of
Sundernagar, who accused Saini of spreading ‘fake news’. Saini wrote letters to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and State Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, accusing
the SDM of trying to ‘gag the press’. On 13 April 2020, three FIRs were
registered against Saini when he and another reporter from Divya Himachal did
video reports on brick kilns in Sundernagar, which were operating despite
lockdown. Following Saini’s reports, the police stopped the work at the kilns
and filed FIRs against the kiln owners. But the police also booked Saini under
Sections 451, 504, 506 and 188 of the IPC. Further, his car was seized by the
police on 14 April 2020 to deter him from traveling and reporting and he was
booked for the fifth time under Section 188 of the IPC, and Sections 192 and
196 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.57
(56)
Case 11: Vishal Anand, Himachal Pradesh
In mid-April 2020, Vishal Anand (49 years), a journalist associated with a national
news channel, was accused of misrepresentation and booked for using pictures
of Gandhi Chowk in Dalhousie for a story on Covid-19 in Chamba district,
Himachal Pradesh. There was no basis for the FIR as Dalhousie falls in Chamba
district. Soon after the first FIR, he told a media outlet that lodging such
complaints only indicated that “some officials are misusing power and trying to
intimidate journalists” and for this comment, another FIR was filed against him.58
Case 12: Four unnamed journalists, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 April 2020, an FIR was registered at Gopiganj police station in Bhadohi

district, Uttar Pradesh against four journalists for reporting that a woman had
thrown her five children into a river because of lockdown-induced hunger. The
FIR only mentioned editors and reporters from news agency Indo-Asian News
Service (IANS) and Business Insider without naming them. The four journalists
were booked under sections 505(1)(b) and 188 of the IPC.59 On 10 July 2020,
the Press Council of India (PCI) took suo motu cognizance and called for
comments from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding registration of FIR
against the four journalists.60
Case 13: Masrat Zahra, Jammu & Kashmir
On 18 April 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir Police booked Masrat Zahra (26
years), a freelance photojournalist, under the UAPA for her alleged “anti-national”
posts in social media. The press release issued by the police said “Cyber Police
Station received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely
Masrat Zahra is uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the
youth and to promote offences against public tranquility.” An FIR (No. 10/2020)
was registered against her under section 13 of the UAPA and section 505 of the
IPC at Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone in Srinagar.61
Case 14: Gowhar Geelani, Jammu & Kashmir
On 21 April 2020, Gowhar Geelani, journalist and author, was booked by police
for allegedly “indulging in unlawful activities” through social media that are
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“prejudicial to the national integrity, sovereignty and security of India”. The police
claimed that Geelani had been glorifying terrorism in the Kashmir Valley through
his social media posts and an FIR was registered against him at the Cyber Police
Station in Srinagar.62
Case 15: KN Nagegowda, Sunil, HS Mahesh and Madan, Karnataka
On 29 April 2020, an FIR was filed against four journalists identified as K N

Nagegowda, Sunil, H S Mahesh and Madan based on a complaint filed by Krishik
Gowda, son of Member of Legislative Council, KT Srikantegowda in Mandya,
Karnataka. The complaint alleged assault and abuse of Srikantegowda by the
four journalists at Ambedkar Bhavan during COVID-19 tests on the journalists.63
Case 16: Gauri Shankar, Himachal Pradesh
In the last week of April 2020, a complaint was filed against Gauri Shankar, a
Dainik Bhaskar reporter based in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh for reporting
that migrant workers in the district were starving as a result of the lockdown.64
The journalist was accused of spreading fake news by the SDM even though his
story was proven to be true.65
Case 17: Sudhir Chaudhary, Kerala
On 7 May 2020, the Kerala Police filed an FIR against Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor-
in-Chief of Zee News under non-bailable sections for presenting a controversial
programme that allegedly offended the Muslim religion in his prime-time show
Daily News and Analysis. The FIR read, “On 11 March 2020, Zee News TV
channel broadcast DNA programme. The accused presented a programme that
is offending the Muslim religion.” Chaudhary had presented a “jihad chart”
detailing different “types of jihad” in a flowchart. The case was registered under
Section 295A of the IPC following a complaint by advocate P Gavas, State
Secretary of the All India Youth Federation, an organisation affiliated to the
Communist Party of India.66
Case 18: Gulshan Kumar Mitho, Bihar
On 20 May 2020, an FIR was registered against journalist Gulshan Kumar Mitho
by police in Sitamarhi district, Bihar for reporting mismanagement at a
(58)
quarantine centre set up in a school. He was accused of provoking patients to

post a picture in his newspaper, which disturbed public order. Kumar had reported
that the patients were not given proper food for hours and that the toilets were
inadequate for large number of patients.67
Case 19: Ajay Bhadauria, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 May 2020, an FIR was registered against journalist Ajay Bhadauria (57
years) for a tweet in which he pointed out that a community kitchen was closed
down at Vijaypur in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The police booked him for
circulating false news based on a complaint by the SDM. In a press note released
on 7 June 2020, the Fatehpur District Magistrate claimed that Bhadauria, who
has been a journalist for 32 years, “is not associated with any print or electronic
media in the year 2020” and accused Bhadauria of using “his personal Twitter
account to besmirch the administration by tweeting one-sided, delusional
rumours.”68
Case 20: Somdev Sharma, Himachal Pradesh
On 16 May 2020, police booked Somdev Sharma, a correspondent for Punjab

Kesari, after he reported on the administration’s laxity in quarantining inter-state
travellers in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. Gaurav Singh, Superintendent of
Police, Kullu district stated that Sharma had falsely written in his report that a
person entered the district illegally without a pass and hence created panic.69
Case 21: Rahul Zori, Maharashtra
On 16 May 2020, police booked Rahul Zori, reporter with news channel TV9
Marathi, for reporting on irregularities in management of Hadakhed relief camp
for migrants at Shirpur tehsil in Dhule district, Maharashtra. The FIR was filed
on a complaint by a Tehsildar, who accused Zori of defaming him by alleging
corruption at Hadakhed camp as well as trying to obstruct official work by
questioning him. Zori was booked under penal sections for obstructing a public
servant from doing his duty, defamation, publishing matter that is known to be
defamatory. Zori stood by his story.70
(59)
Case 22: Ravindra Saxena, Uttar Pradesh
On 18 May 2020, an FIR was registered against Ravindra Saxena, a journalist

with Today-24 news portal, for reporting mismanagement at a quarantine centre
in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. In a video report, Saxena spoke to people at a
quarantine centre in Maholi tehsil in the district, who alleged that they were
served rotten rice. The FIR was registered on the complaint of district
administration filed through a Scheduled Caste employee at the SDM office
accusing the journalist of violating the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Disaster Management Act.71
Case 23: Aashish Avasthi, Uttar Pradesh
In May 2020, an FIR was lodged against Aashish Avasthi, editor of Media Break,
for a report regarding problems being faced by Home Guards in Uttar Pradesh
during COVID-19. On 20 May 2020, the PCI sought a report from the State
Government with respect to the FIR.72
Case 24: Jai Singh Chibber, Punjab
On 22 May 2020, Jai Singh Chibber, a reporter with Punjabi Jagran newspaper,
was booked by police for writing a news report about an unnamed Congress
minister in Punjab following the suggestions of astrologers. Police registered a
case against Chibber under Sections 188 and 505 of the IPC and Section 67A of
the Information Technology Act.73 On 9 July 2020, the PCI took suo-motu
cognizance and sought a report from the State Government.74
Case 25: Tansen Tiwari, Madhya Pradesh
On 24 May 2020, Tansen Tiwari (66 years), a veteran journalist, was booked by
Madhya Pradesh police for allegedly referring to BJP leaders as gappu (braggart)
and tadipar (externed) in a social media post. Police registered the case after a
local BJP leader and advocate, Awdesh Singh Bhadauria, reported the matter to
Gola Ka Mandir police station. The complaint alleged that on 22 May 2020
Tiwari wrote a post on Facebook which indirectly described Prime Minister
Narendra Modi as gappu and other party leaders as tadipar and balatkari (rapist).
However, Tiwari’s social media post did not name any BJP leader. He was booked
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under sections 294 and 500 of the IPC and section 67 of the Information
Technology Act.75
Case 26: Veerendra Rajpurohit, Rajasthan
In early June 2020, Veerendra Rajpurohit, who runs News 30 Rajasthan, an online
news portal, was booked for defamation in Pali district, Rajasthan after he
questioned and allegedly used offensive language against local police over the
death of a labour leader in judicial custody. The FIR was registered on a complaint
by a police officer. The case was registered under sections 388, 116, 500, 501,
506 of the IPC and the Information Technology Act.76 On 14 June 2020, the
Rajasthan High Court granted temporary protection from arrest to the journalist.77
Case 27: Vinod Dua, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh
On 5 June 2020, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against senior journalist
Vinod Dua for allegedly misreporting the communal violence between supporters
and opponents of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi in February 2020
and spreading fake news through “The Vinod Dua Show” on YouTube. The case
was filed under sections 290, 505 and 505(2) of the IPC on the complaint of
BJP spokesperson Naveen Kumar.78 On 10 June 2020, the Delhi High Court
stayed the investigation against Dua.79
However, on 12 June 2020 the Himachal Pradesh Police summoned Dua in

connection with a sedition case registered in Shimla on 6 June 2020 on the basis
of a complaint filed by BJP leader Ajay Shyam in connection with his Youtube
show. The complaint alleged that Dua, in his show, accused Prime Minister
Narendra Modi of using “deaths and terror attacks” to get votes.80 On 3 June
2021, the Supreme Court quashed sedition and other charges that were registered
against Dua. The Court said, “Every journalist is entitled to the protection under the
Kedar Nath Singh case (which defined the ambit of offence of sedition under Section
124A IPC).” However, the Supreme Court refused the second prayer made by
Vinod Dua seeking the formation of a committee to verify allegations against
journalists before an FIR is lodged. He had said that no FIR should be registered
against a journalist with experience of over 10 years unless the committee approves
it.81
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Case 28: Supriya Sharma, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 June 2020, the Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR against Supriya
Sharma, Executive Editor of Scroll.in on the basis of a complaint by Mala Devi,
who Sharma had quoted in a report titled ‘In Varanasi village adopted by Prime
Minister Modi, people went hungry during the lockdown’, published on Scroll.in
on 8 June 2020. Scroll.in had interviewed Mala Devi at Domari village in Varanasi
on 5 June 2020, but she alleged that the journalist had misreported her and filed
an FIR. 82 The FIR was registered under sections 269 and 501 of the IPC and
sections 3(1)(d) and 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act.83
Case 29: Amish Devgan, Rajasthan
On 17 June 2020, an FIR was registered against News18 TV anchor Amish

Devgan for hurting religious sentiments by allegedly referring to Sufi saint
Moinuddin Chisti in derogatory terms during a programme. Devgan, on his
show on 15 June 2020, had used the term ‘Lootera Chisti’ (Chisti the robber),
inviting furious reactions from the Muslim community throughout the country.
He tendered an apology saying he was actually referring to Muslim ruler Alauddin
Khilji and inadvertently named Chisti,84 Several FIRs were lodged against Devgan
in different states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The
Supreme Court had granted protection to the journalist from any coercive action.
However, the Supreme Court on 7 December 2020 refused to quash the FIRs
and transferred all FIRs to Ajmer in Rajasthan for trial.85
Case 30: Unnamed media institutions, Uttar Pradesh
On 23 June 2020, an FIR was filed against unnamed media institutions on

publication of news item about Government Girl Shelter Home, Kanpur, Uttar
Pradesh where 57 girls were infected with COVID-19. The FIR lodged at Swarup
Nagar police station in Kanpur district accused the media institutions of spreading
fake news and booked under Sections 188, 505 and 288 IPC, Section 23 of the
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Section 74 of the
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Section 3 of
the Epidemic Diseases Act. 86 On 25 June 2020, the PCI took suo-motu
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cognizance on the FIR lodged against unknown media institutions and called
for a report from the Government of Uttar Pradesh.87
Case 31: Six journalists of Divya Marathi, Maharashtra
On 24 June and 25 June 2020, Divya Marathi, the largest newspaper in

Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, published two critical reports on district
administration’s claims about handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the district.
However, the Aurangabad police registered two separate cases against six reporters
and photographers of Divya Marathi newspaper for mis-reporting and rumour-
mongering.88
Case 32: Patricia Mukhim, Meghalaya
On 6 July 2020, a criminal case was registered against veteran journalist Patricia
Mukhim, a Padma Shri awardee and editor of The Shillong Times by the Meghalaya
Police based on a complaint filed by Lawsohtun Village Council head Lurshai
Shylla. The complaint alleged that Mukhim through a Facebook post had incited
communal tension between tribals and non-tribals. In her social media post,
Mukhim had criticized the village council for failing to identify the masked
miscreants who had attacked five non-tribal boys on a basketball court at
Lawsohtun village on 3 July 2020.89 Mukhim was booked under Section 153A,
500 and 505(3) of the IPC and summoned by the police under Section 41A
CrPC requiring her to appear before the Investigating Officer. She approached
the Meghalaya High Court which on 10 November 2020 refused to quash the
criminal case lodged against her.90 While dismissing the petition, the High Court
said, “The author has gone on to assuage the feelings of the non-tribals by posing a
question as to why they should live in perpetual fear in their own State when they have a
right to call Meghalaya their state as the indigenous tribal does. Again, on going through
the said Facebook post and as observed above, what can be deduced is that there is an
attempt to make a comparison between tribals and non-tribals vis-à-vis their rights and
security and the alleged tipping of the balance in favour of one community over the
other. This, in the opinion of this Court would fall on the mischief of Section 153 A (a)
IPC as it apparently seeks to promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will
between two communities.”91
(63)
Case 33: Amitabh Rawat, Uttar Pradesh
In August 2020, an FIR was registered against journalist Amitabh Rawat for
allegedly maligning the image of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh after
he shared in social media a video of a minor girl cleaning the floor in the female
ward of the District Hospital, Deoria. He was booked under Sections 506, 504,
389, and 385 of the IPC and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.92
Case 34: Sankalp Neb, Uttar Pradesh
On 4 August 2020, journalist Sankalp Neb was booked in Saharanpur, Uttar

Pradesh for allegedly sharing an unverified post on Twitter about the
administration’s handling of Covid-19. The FIR was registered under provisions
of the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Information Technology Act based on a
complaint by Chief Medical Officer, Saharanpur. Neb said that he had merely re-
posted another person’s allegations in the form of a screenshot and alleged that
he was targeted for reports that were not in favour of the administration.93
Case 35: Manish Soni, Chhattisgarh
On 16 August 2020, Manish Soni, a freelancer who runs a regional channel at

Ambikapur in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, was booked under sections 153-A,
153-B and 504 of the IPC on the basis of a complaint filed by local BJP worker
Alok Dubey. The complainant objected to Soni’s Facebook post published on
25 March 2020 in which he had shared the pictures of District Reserve Guards
personnel who were killed in a Maoist attack on 18 March 2020. Soni alleged he
was targeted because of his reports on a custodial death of a tribal.94 On 22
October 2020, another FIR was registered against Manish Soni after he reported
how the municipal corporation’s anti-encroachment drive team used an earth
digging machine to destroy the paddy crops of some farmers in Ambikapur in
Surguja district. He was booked under section 294 IPC and Information
Technology Act following a complaint lodged by Ambikaur Mayor Ajay Tirkey
of the Congress party, for allegedly using “explicit and derogatory language” in
a viral video which on social media.95
(64)
Case 36: Ashish Tomar, Shakil Ahmed, Lakhan Singh, Aamir Khan and
Moin Ahmad, Uttar Pradesh
On 7 September 2020, the police booked five journalists identified as Ashish

Tomar, Shakil Ahmed, Lakhan Singh, Aamir Khan and Moin Ahmad96 after
they reported that a Dalit family was allegedly prevented from drawing water
from a hand pump by some people at Basi village in Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh.97 Cases were filed under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between
different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language,
etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 268 (public
nuisance) and 503 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and Section 66A of the
Information Technology Act. The FIR had charged Ashish Tomar and Shakil
Ahmed of trying to vitiate social amity by circulating fake news. The journalists
stood by their story and the district administration had to take back the case after
an action committee of journalists lodged a protest.98
Case 37: Sharat Kumar and Lokendra Singh, Rajasthan
On 1 October 2020, Sharat Kumar, a journalist for Aaj Tak and Lokendra Singh,
media advisor of former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, were booked by
police for spreading fake news about the alleged phone tapping of MLAs during
political crisis in Rajasthan in July 2020. The two were charged with circulating
wrong or non-verified news, conspiracy and under provisions of the Information
Technology Act.99
Case 38: Pradeep Bhandari, Maharashtra
On 9 October 2020, Pradeep Bhandari, a journalist with Republic TV, was booked
for allegedly gathering a crowd during the demolition of Bollywood actress
Kangana Ranaut’s house. The police registered a case against the reporter under
sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of
his duty), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of
the IPC at Khar police station.100
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Case 39: Mahendrasinh Jadeja, Pratipalsinh Gohil, Prakash Rameshbhai

and Imran Hothi, Gujarat
On 5 December 2020, four journalists of vernacular daily Divya Bhaskar

identified as Mahendrasinh Jadeja, Pratipalsinh Gohil, Prakash Rameshbhai and
Imran Hothi were booked for exposing ‘VIP treatment to accused’ in a case of
fire accident that killed five coronavirus patients at a hospital in Gujarat. The FIR
was filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by a police constable that alleged the
journalists entered the prohibited lockup room without seeking permission and
taking photographs. They were booked under various sections of Information
Technology Act, for obstructing public servant in discharging public functions,
among other charges.101
3.3. Summons/show cause notices

At least 13 journalists and one newspaper were issued show cause notices/
summons including two journalists by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
for their journalistic work during 2020. They were Naseer Ganai, Haroon Nabi,
Peerzada Ashiq, Fahad Shah and Auqib Javeed in Jammu and Kashmir; Vijay
Vineet, Subhash Rai and Manish Pandey in Uttar Pradesh; Mahender Singh
Manral and Prashant Tandon in Delhi; Neeraj Shivhare in Chhattisgarh; Anirban
Chattopadhyay in West Bengal; Manash Jyoti In some instances,
Baruah in Assam and KV Kurmanath in journalists were
Maharashtra. In addition, notice was served to summoned without
Dainik Sambad, a vernacular daily by the Tripura issuing formal notices
government for its report on COVID-19. and threatened with
legal action for non
The reasons for summons were the journalists’ compliance.
reports on hardships faced by the common
people including starvation and poverty during COVID-19 lockdown, alleged
factual inaccuracies in stories published, reporting on leaked official letter on
sub-standard PPE kits supplied to hospitals, reports on alleged doctored audio
clip of a religious leader, reporting on communal riots, alleged role in anti-CAA
protests and alleged role in provoking violence.
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Table 5 : List of journalists issued summons/show cause notices

Name of State Charges No. of
journalists journalists
/media
Naseer Ganai and Jammu & Summoned for 2

Haroon Nabi Kashmir questioning for
publishing and
circulating a
statement of banned
group
Vijay Vineet and Uttar Pradesh Show cause notice 2

Subhash Rai issued in connection
with a report
Peerzada Ashiq Jammu & Summoned to explain 1

Kashmir alleged inaccuracies
regarding a report
Neeraj Shivhare Chhattisgarh Show-cause notice for 1

alleged publishing
of false news
Manish Pandey Uttar Pradesh Summoned to clarify 1

the source of an
official letter quoted
in a report
Mahender Singh Delhi Summoned for 1

Manral questioning for a
report
Manash Jyoti Baruah Assam Summoned by NIA 1

for questioning on
his role in the
violence during anti-
(67)
CAA movement
Fahad Shah Jammu & Summoned for 1

Kashmir questioning in
connection with
the gunfight
Anirban Chattopadhyay West Bengal Summoned for 1

questioning in
connection with a
story lack of PPEs
Prashant Tandon Delhi Questioned about 1

Delhi riots
KV Kurmanath Maharashtra Summoned by NIA 1

for questioning in
connection with
Bhima Koregaon case
Dainik Sambad Tripura Notice issued by 1

newspaper DM to submit
evidence for
publishing a report
Total 14
The details of the summons/notices issued to journalists are given below.
Case 1: Naseer Ganai and Haroon Nabi, Jammu & Kashmir
On 9 February 2020, Naseer Ganai of the weekly Outlook magazine and Haroon
Nabi of the Current News Service (CNS) agency were summoned by police in
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. They were questioned for publishing and
circulating a statement by a banned Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front.102
(68)
Case 2: Vijay Vineet and Subhash Rai, Uttar Pradesh
On 26 March 2020, the District Magistrate (DM) of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

sent a show-cause notice to journalist Vijay Vineet and Editor-in-Chief Subhash
Rai of Jansandesh Times after the newspaper carried a story that members of the
Musahar community, a Dalit sub-caste, were surviving on grass at Koiripur village
in the district due to COVID-19 lockdown. The village fell under Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. The report was
accompanied by photographs of children eating grass. In the notice, DM stated
that he had got the matter investigated by an Additional District Magistrate-level
officer and found that the report was fabricated one. The DM claimed that the
Dalit children were not eating grass but ankari dal (wild pulses) that grow along
with wheat in the fields. The notice asked the newspaper to refute its story in the
next edition on 27 March 2020 failing which an inquiry shall be initiated against
them. But journalist Vijay Vineet stood by his report.103 On 10 July 2020, the
PCI took suo motu cognizance and called for comments from the state
government of Uttar Pradesh.104
Case 3: Peerzada Ashiq, Jammu & Kashmir
On 19 April 2020, senior journalist, Peerzada Ashiq of The Hindu was summoned
by the Cyber police headquarters in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir to explain
the alleged factual inaccuracies in a story that was published in The Hindu on the
same day. Police termed the story regarding an encounter between militants and
security forces at Shopian as “fake news” and said, “The said news was published
without seeking confirmation from the district authorities.” The senior journalist
was later asked to travel to south Kashmir, some 40 km away, to present himself
before a police officer in Anantnag district for further questioning.105
Case 4: Neeraj Shivhare, Chhattisgargh
On 26 April 2020, the State Government of Chhattisgarh issued a show-cause

notice to Neeraj Shivhare, a journalist with Bastar ki Aawaz, for reporting on the
plight of a woman who had to sell her household items to arrange food during
the COVID-19 lockdown. The authorities said the report had “damaged the
image of the administration”. The notice asked Neeraj Shivhare to appear before
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the authorities in Dantewada and provide an explanation for his report dated 25
April 2020. The report referred to in the notice pertained to an interview with a
woman from Geedam who alleged that she was forced to sell household items
including a refrigerator for Rs 2,000 to buy ration as the family had not received
assistance from the administration during the lockdown. The notice issued to
the journalist stated, “Given that the whole country is facing the coronavirus
pandemic, this kind of post spreads fear among the people and spoils the image
of the administration,” and further threatened to file an FIR against him. The
woman reportedly stood by the interview she had given to the journalist.106
Case 5: Manish Pandey, Uttar Pradesh
On 30 April 2020, Manish Pandey of News1 India, a Hindi news channel, was
summoned (without serving a notice) before the Special Task Force headquarters
in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Vishal Vikram
Singh. On 1 May 2020, Singh interrogated Pandey for nearly an hour regarding
the source who leaked an official letter published by Pandey. On 17 April 2020,
Pandey broke the story of a letter sent by the Directorate General of Medical
Education and Training, Uttar Pradesh to bureaucrats in the State’s medical
education department. The letter said that the PPE kits supplied to eight hospitals
and medical colleges in the State did not meet the required quality standards.107
Case 6: Mahender Singh Manral, Delhi
On 10 May 2020, the Delhi Police issued notice to The Indian Express journalist
Mahender Singh Manral asking him to appear before it on the same day after he
reported that the police had found that there was a possibility of an audio clip of
leader of Tablighi Jamaat Maulana Saad may have been doctored. On 13 May
2020, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) criticised the Delhi Police for its
highhandedness for threatening the journalist with legal action if he did not join
the investigation. The EGI noted that Manral was not charged under any law
but threatened with legal action under Section 174 of the IPC with punishment
of a prison term and fine if he failed to join the investigation.108 The PCI also
intervened on the issue and sought a report from the Commissioner of Police,
Delhi.109
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Case 7: Manash Jyoti Baruah, Assam
On 15 May 2020, the National Investigation Agency summoned journalist

Manash Jyoti Baruah, who works for a digital media house, at its Sonapur office
in Guwahati, Assam for his role in the public protests against the CAA in
December 2019.110 He was interrogated for about five hours and also questioned
about his relationship with peasant leader Akhil Gogoi who was arrested by the
NIA. The Guwahati Press Club (GPC) wrote to the NIA expressing concern at
the way journalists were being questioned without getting formal notices. Baruah
was summoned via a phone call and without serving a formal notice.111
Case 8: Fahad Shah, Jammu & Kashmir
On 20 May 2020, Fahad Shah, editor of The Kashmir Walla, was summoned by
the police and questioned for over four hours for a report on a gunfight at
Naawkadal in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. On 9 July 2020, Fahad Shah was
again summoned by police from Safakadal police station for questioning in
connection with the gunfight. The summon reads “your presence is necessary
for the purpose of enquiry into the offence committed under section 147, 307,
109, 501, 505 IPC”.112
Case 9: Anirban Chattopadhyay, West Bengal
On 25 May 2020, Anirban Chattopadhyay (62 years), editor of Bengali-daily

Anandabazaar Patrika was issued summon to appear before the Hare Street
police station in Kolkata, West Bengal for questioning allegedly relating to a
story on inadequate supply of PPEs to the staff of a hospital handling COVID-
19 cases. He did not meet the police and resigned on 1 June 2020.113 Later, the
police opened an investigation against him following a complaint from a senior
bureaucrat over the newspaper’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.114
Case 10: Prashant Tandon, Delhi
On 10 August 2020, the Delhi Police Special Cell interrogated veteran journalist
Prashant Tandon (54 years) in connection with communal riots that broke out
in Delhi in February 2019. Tandon said that he was questioned for several hours
in connection with an FIR on Delhi riots and his mobile phone was seized.115
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Case 11: KV Kurmanath, Maharashtra
On 9 September 2020, KV Kurmanath, Deputy Editor with The Hindu-Business

Line was summoned by the NIA to appear before its office in Mumbai,
Maharashtra in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case. K
Satyanarayana, professor at the English and Foreign Languages University in
Hyderabad was also summoned along with Kurmanath. Both of them are sons-
in-law of revolutionary poet Varavara Rao who had been in jail after being arrested
by the Maharashtra police on charges of links with the Maoists.116
Case 12: Dainik Sambad, Tripura
On 14 September 2020, Dainik Sambad, a vernacular daily in Tripura, was issued

notice by Sailesh Kumar Yadav, Magistrate of West Tripura district to submit
documentary evidence based on which a story published on 3 September 2020
claimed that the situation at three COVID treatment centers – GBP Hospital,
Shahid Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel and Hapania Industry Department
auditorium were “indescribable”. The notice threatened legal action under the
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the IPC
if it failed to submit documentary evidence.117
3.4. Physical attacks and intimidation by security forces and other

public officials
Out of the 42 journalists subjected to physical violence, 35 were allegedly
beaten by police including five in custody. In most cases, they were assaulted
despite identifying themselves as journalists.
In 2020, at least 42 journalists were allegedly physically attacked by public

officials including police, army, forest guards, Government Railway Police (GRP)
and office bearers of a panchayat across the country. Out of the 42, 35 journalists
were allegedly beaten by police, which include custodial torture of five journalists;
three journalists allegedly by army personnel; two by forest guards; one by GRP
and one by office bearers of a panchayat.
Of them, 10 were assaulted in Andhra Pradesh; Jammu and Kashmir (7); Delhi
(5); Maharashtra (4); Karnataka and Odisha (3 each); Uttar Pradesh (2); and
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Assam, Goa, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Punjab, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Tripura
(1 each). In most cases, the journalists were beaten or assaulted despite identifying
themselves as journalists or the accused knew the victims were journalists.
Table 6 : List of journalists assaulted by public officials
Name of journalistss State Perpetrator Number of

journalist
Suhail Khan, Ashiq Mir Jammu & Kashmir Army 3

and Mudasir
Ashish Mia Tripura Police 1
Soiru Komarpant Goa Police 1
Ashish Raje Maharashtra Police 1
Narsinha Ghone Maharashtra Police 1
Navin Kumar Delhi Police 1
Ravi Reddy Telangana Police 1
Uttkarsh Chaturvedi Maharashtra Police 1
10 journalists Andhra Pradesh Police 10
Gowhar Ali Wani Jammu & Kashmir Police 1

Samrat Pradhan Karnataka Police 1
Subrat Kumar Swain Odisha Police 1
Major Singh Punjabi Punjab Police 1
Ankit Singh Uttar Pradesh Police 1
Raghunath Bansode Maharashtra Police 1
Nolan Pinto and Karnataka Police 2

Prajwal Bhat
Anand Dutta Jharkhand Police 1
(73)
Arun Paul Assam Police 1
Kamran Yousuf and Jammu & Kashmir Police 2

Faisal Bashir
Auqib Javeed Jammu & Kashmir Police 1
Asad Rizvi Uttar Pradesh Police 1

Ahan Penkar Delhi Police 1
Fayaz Ahmad, Jammu & Kashmir Police 3

Mudasir Qadri and
Junaid Ahmad
Two journalists Odisha Forest 2

Guards
Prasanjit Dutta Nagaland Government 1
Railway
Police
Ezhil Tamil Nadu Beaten by 1

staff of a
panchayat
Total 42
The details of the cases are given below:
i. Assault by the army

On 25 December 2020, three journalists identified as Suhail Khan (online editor
of Kashmir Despatch), Ashiq Mir (Kashmir Crown) and Mudasir were allegedly
beaten by Army while covering Jashn-e-Baramulla function in Baramulla district
in North Kashmir. Army hosted Jashn-e-Baramulla, wherein Bollywood actor
Amisha Patel was the chief guest and journalists were invited to cover the same.
But when journalists requested Bollywood actress Amisha Patel for an interview,
some army officials allegedly started beating them without any reason. The army
officers also allegedly destroyed their equipment. Baramulla Working Journalist
(74)
Association (BWJA) and North Kashmir Journalists Association (NKJA) strongly

condemned the attack on fellow journalists and urged Army top brass to initiate
an inquiry into the matter.118
ii. Assault by the police

At least 35 journalists were assaulted by the police, including five in custody,
across India. Andhra Pradesh with 10 case topped the States; followed by Delhi
(5); Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra (4 each); Karnataka (3); Uttar Pradesh
(2); and Assam, Goa, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Tripura, Telangana, and Tamil
Nadu (1). Of these, five journalists were subjected to torture in police custody.
Case 1: Alleged beating of Ashish Mia, Tripura
On 1 January 2020, journalist Ashish Mia was allegedly assaulted by Officer-in-

Charge (OC) Bishnupada Bhowmik at Kamalasagar bazaar in West Tripura
district of Tripura. The journalist was heading towards Kamalasagar Bazaar area
for his professional duty on his bike and was allegedly stopped by the OC and
assaulted. Ashish received grievous injury on his head and other parts of the
body.119
Case 2: Alleged beating of Soiru Komarpant, Goa
On 13 January 2020, Soiru Komarpant, a photojournalist working with a Marathi

daily, was allegedly assaulted by two police personnel in Margao town in South
Goa district of Goa. The incident took place when the photojournalist was clicking
pictures of a brawl between some tourists and an elderly woman near Margao
bus stand. At that time, police driver Ujesh Naik and constable Mahendra Gosavi,
attached to Fatorda police station, allegedly assaulted Komarpant.120
Case 3: Alleged beating of Ashish Raje, Maharashtra
On 6 February 2020, Ashish Raje, a photojournalist and joint secretary of the

Mumbai Press Club, was allegedly beaten up by the police while covering an
anti-CAA protest in Nagpada area in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was pushed and
assaulted by two police personnel, resulting in injury to his thigh.121
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Case 4: Alleged beating of Narsinha Ghone, Maharashtra
On 22 March 2020, Narsinha Ghone, President of Latur Press Club, was allegedly
beaten up by a policeman when he stepped out in Latur, Maharashtra for
reporting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for a day-long janata
(public) curfew.122
Case 5: Alleged beating of Navin Kumar, Delhi
On 23 March 2020, Navin Kumar, a journalist with Aaj Tak news channel, was
allegedly stopped and beaten up by three policemen on the order of Inspector
Shivkumar near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Trauma Centre in
New Delhi. He was going to his office in Noida Film City when the incident
took place. He was beaten despite showing his press identity card.123
Case 6: Alleged beating of Ravi Reddy, Telangana
On 23 March 2020, Ravi Reddy, Chief of Bureau (Telangana) of The Hindu was
abused and beaten by two sub-inspectors and three constables near the Begumpet
flyover in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was returning home from duty. He was
beaten despite identifying himself as a journalist.124
Case 7: Alleged beating of Uttkarsh Chaturvedi, Maharashtra
On 25 March 2020, Uttkarsh Chaturvedi, Deputy News Editor with ET Now, a

leading business news channel, alleged that he was beaten up by policemen while
reporting on COVID-19 lockdown in Thane district, Maharashtra. The victim
claimed he was beaten with sticks despite showing his press card.125
Case 8: Alleged beating of at least 10 journalists, Andhra Pradesh
On 25 March 2020, at least 10 journalists including Chalamashetty Srinivas, a

local reporter from Vaartha were allegedly beaten with sticks by a police officer
at a security check post in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. The journalists
had gone to the check post after receiving information that the police were
preventing people from entering the district during COVID-19 lockdown. As
they were questioning the police, a police officer started beating them with a
stick. Seven reporters allegedly suffered injuries in the attack.126
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Case 9: Alleged beating of Gowhar Ali Wani, Jammu & Kashmir
On 15 April 2020, Gowhar Ali Wani (21 years), a freelance journalist alleged
that the police beat him up and arrested his father in Handwara in Jammu &
Kashmir. The journalist claimed he had opposed the use of foul language by the
Station House Officer (SHO) of Villagam police station, following which two
policemen in civil dress came to his house and asked him to come with them.
When he asked the reason, they slapped and assaulted him.127
Case 10: Alleged custodial torture of Samrat Pradhan, Karnataka
On 20 April 2020, Samrat Pradhan (25 years), a business correspondent of a

magazine and his cousin Amit Kar (25 years), working in a hotel, were allegedly
tortured at Hennur police station in Bangalore, Karnataka. They had stepped
out to buy medicines and groceries during COVID-19 lockdown when they
were taken to the police station and allegedly tortured for over 15 hours.128
Case 11: Alleged beating of Subrat Kumar Swain, Odisha
On 22 April 2020, Subrat Kumar Swain, correspondent with Odia daily Sambad
was allegedly beaten up by a police sub-inspector identified as Ashutosh Mohanty
while he was taking his ailing child to a hospital in Keonjhar district, Odisha.129
Case 12: Custodial torture of Major Singh Punjabi, Punjab
On 22 May 2020, Major Singh Punjabi, a journalist with the Rozana Pehredar
newspaper, was mercilessly beaten by the two Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASIs) of
the Mohali police station phase-1 at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib Singh Sabha
situated in Phase-4, Mohali in Punjab. He went there to cover the meeting of
two groups. Despite showing his identity as a journalist, the policemen forcibly
pushed him in a private vehicle bearing a Haryana number and took him to the
phase-1 police station at Mohali. About his ordeal Major Singh said, “Before, I
could even step out of the vehicle, ASI Om Prakash started beating me with a
stick. The duo dragged me to the lockup, where I was not only tortured, abused
and humiliated but they also pushed away my turban. My repeated pleas not to
touch my turban went unheard and they even threw my ‘kangha’ (wooden comb
for the hair, part of the five symbols of Sikhism).”130
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Case 13: Alleged beating of Ankit Singh, Uttar Pradesh
On 22 June 2020, Ankit Singh, a reporter working for Hindi Khabar, was
allegedly assaulted by the police when he was doing a story on a shelter home
where 57 girls were found to be COVID-19 positive at Swaroop Nagar in Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh. When his colleague, Shubham Shukla, tried to shoot the beating
on his phone, the police snatched away the phone.131
Case 14: Alleged manhandling of Raghunath Bansode, Maharashtra
On 1 August 2020, Raghunath Bansode, a senior journalist and owner of Dainik

Latur Prabhat, was allegedly manhandled by the district deputy Superintendent
of Police Sachin Sangle in Latur, Maharashtra. He had gone out for work. The
police officer obstructed him and spoke in abusive language.132
Case 15: Alleged beating of Nolan Pinto and Prajwal, Karnataka
On 11 August 2020, two journalists - Nolan Pinto, Special Correspondent with

India Today, Prajwal of the News Minute were allegedly hit by the police while
covering the riots that took place in east Bangalore, Karnataka in protest against
an allegedly derogatory Facebook post about Prophet Muhammad.133
Case 16: Custodial torture of Anand Dutta, Jharkhand
On 12 September 2020, Anand Dutta, a freelance journalist, was beaten up by

police at Morabadi Maidan in Ranchi district, Jharkhand while he was at the
vegetable market with his wife. Senior Station Inspector (SSI) Mohan Mehta
allegedly asked why Dutta was carrying a “carry bag” and started slapping him
and took him to the police station in Police Control Room. Dutta alleged that he
was brutally beaten at the police station.134
Case 17: Alleged beating of Arun Paul, Assam
On the night of 13 September 2020, Arun Paul, a journalist with Assamese daily
‘Dainik Asom’ was allegedly attacked by a police constable and severely injured
when he was returning home in Dhubri, Assam. The journalist was attacked
with a sharp weapon by the constable following an argument. He received severe
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head injuries and was initially admitted to Gauripur primary health center before
being shifted to Dhubri civil hospital.135
Case 18: Alleged beating of Kamran Yousuf and Faisal Bashir, Jammu &
Kashmir
On 15 September 2020, Kamran Yousuf, a multimedia journalist working with

news portal Newsclick and Faisal Bashir, a freelancer, were beaten by policemen
while covering a gunfight between militants and security forces in Marwal
Kakapora village in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir. Yousuf had to be
hospitalized in Srinagar for treatment of injuries to his limbs, and the doctors
told him that he had suffered a mild fracture in his right leg.136 Earlier on the
night of 16 February 2020, Kamran Yousuf was picked up from his home by
the police in Pulwama and questioned about a Twitter account belonging to one
Kamran Manzoor which the police suspected was operated by Kamran Yousuf.
The police checked his phone and after finding nothing released him. He was
detained for about two hours prior to his release.137
Case 19: Alleged custodial torture of Auqib Javeed, Jammu & Kashmir
On 18 September 2020, Auqib Javeed, a Srinagar-based journalist, was allegedly

slapped by a masked policeman during questioning by the Cyber Wing of the
Jammu and Kashmir Police in Srinagar after he was summoned in connection
with an article written by him on cyber bullying, or the alleged intimidation of
social media users who posted anything seen as being critical of the government.
The article was published in an online news portal, Article 14 on 17 September
2020.138 Kashmir Editors Guild and Kashmir Press Club (KPC) condemned the
behaviour of the police against journalist Auqib Javeed.139
Case 20: Alleged beating of Asad Rizvi, Uttar Pradesh
On 2 October 2020, journalist Asad Rizvi, associated with The Wire and other
media houses, was attacked by the police when he was covering a protest by the
Samajwadi Party at Hazratganj in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh over the Hathras
gang-rape and murder of a Dalit girl. The police snatched his mobile phone, hit
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with lathis (sticks) and he was briefly detained. Before releasing him, the police
warned him not to public the incident.140
Case 21: Alleged custodial torture of Ahan Penkar, Delhi
On 16 October 2020, Ahan Penkar (23 years), a reporter working with the
Caravan magazine, was allegedly beaten by a police officer and then detained
while covering a story in north Delhi. Penkar was working on a story on the
alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old Dalit girl in the area. Caravan magazine
claimed that Additional Commissioner of Police, Model Town, Ajay Kumar
kicked and slapped Penkar inside the Model Town police station premises despite
showing his press ID card and he was forced to delete the videos and photos
from the phone.141
Case 22: Alleged beating of Fayaz Ahmad, Mudasir Qadri and Junaid
Ahmad, Jammu & Kashmir
On 10 December 2020, the police allegedly beat up three journalists while they
were covering the fifth phase of the District Development Council (DDC) polling
at Srigufwara village of Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. The victims
were identified as Fayaz Ahmad, a stringer of ETV Bharat, Mudasir Qadri of
News18 and Junaid Ahmad of TV-9. Fayaz alleged that Senior Superintendent of
Police (SSP), Sandeep Chaudhary beat them up near the polling station. The
police also seized their media equipment and asked the police to book them
under the charges of instigating people for stone-pelting. They were detained by
the police around 8:30 am.142
iii. Assault by other public officials

During 2020, four journalists were physically attacked by other public officials
including forest gaurds, Government Railway Police (GRP) and office beares of
a panchayat as given below:
On 3 May 2020, a reporter and camera men of Kanak News were attacked by a
forest guard near Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary in Puri district, Odisha.
They had gone near the sanctuary for documenting a report related to cyclone
FANI when the attack took place.143
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On 8 May 2020, journalist Prasanjit Dutta, associated with Nagaland Page, was
assaulted by a Government Railway Police (GRP) official while he was returning
home from work near Dimapur Railway Station in Nagaland. According to Dutta,
the GRP official asked if he was a Muslim. When Dutta replied that he was a
Bengali, the official slapped him and said Nagaland was not his state and if he
wanted to spread the coronavirus, he (Dutta) should go to his own state. After
the accused official apologized to Dutta, the newspaper withdrew its complaint
against the official.144
On 18 August 2020, Ezhil, a reporter working with Tamil news channel Puthiya
Thalaimurai, was allegedly beaten up by office bearers of the Attupakam panchayat
under Gummidipoondi police station in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. The
reporter visited the place to report on the caste-based discrimination faced by
Amrutham, a Dalit (Scheduled Caste) panchayat leader of Attupakam, who was
not allowed to hoist the national flag at a school on Independence Day. The
journalist said he was attacked by five people including the husband of vice-
president and panchayat secretary and he suffered injuries to his eyes and chest.145
3.5. Censorship/denial of advertisement

During 2020, self-censorship within the media remained an open secret.
But, the Government of India also sought to increase regulation of the
media, with media policies, funding and administrative mechanisms for
online media. For example, the New Media Policy 2020 of Jammu &
Kashmir gives unbridled power to the government to check content
of news reports and decide what constitutes “fake, anti-national and
unethical.” Any media that violates this policy can be banned from
receiving any advertisements from the government in addition
to facing legal proceedings.
Several media houses, including TV channels and journalists in India have been
accused of being soft on the ruling dispensation and have been termed as lap/
Godi media. Many TV channels are perceived to be alleged mouthpieces of the
ruling party at the centre.146 Paradoxically, this perception has been used by some
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Chief Ministers belonging to the opposition (vis-a-vis to the Central Government)

as an excuse to target the media.
On 29 April 2020, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned

journalists to behave “properly”, accusing many of them of running propaganda
for the BJP by their “one-sided, negative” reports regarding the situation of
COVID-19 in West Bengal. She threatened to take action against journalists under
the Disaster Management Act.147 On 27 May 2020, Banerjee had launched a
tirade against the media in general and Anandabazar Patrika in particular, forcing
Anirban Chattopadhyay (62 years), editor of Bengali-daily Anandabazaar Patrika
to resign four days later after he was summoned to the Hare Street police station
in Kolkata for questioning.148 Later in June 2020, the police opened an
investigation against him following a complaint from a senior bureaucrat over
the newspaper’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.149 The Kolkata police’s
summon was widely believed to be reprisal against the newspaper’s critical
reportage on the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospital staff
treating COVID-19 patients and the government’s unpreparedness in facing the
onslaught from Cyclone Amphan.150
On 11 September 2020, Biplap Kumar Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura, warned

that “Some newspapers are trying to confuse people [regarding COVID -19 situation in
the state], getting all over-excited. History will not forgive them, I shall not forgive them
either” during a public speech at Sabroom in South Tripura district.151 Journalist
organisations condemned the chief minister’s comments and said the journalists
were working in ‘fear’ due to the ‘threat’.152 On 25 September 2020, Tripura
Assembly of Journalists (TAJ) stated that six journalists were attacked in the State
since the 11 September warning.153
In October 2020, State government of Kerala amended the Kerala Police Act
through an ordinance to allegedly gag the media in the name of controlling
cyber attacks against women and children. The Kerala Police Amendment Act
provided that if the government finds any media platform including social media
producing, publishing or propagating content that could threaten, insult or harm
an individual, they will be punished with a fine of Rs 10,000, imprisonment of
five years or both. KP Reji, President of Kerala Union of Working Journalists
(82)
(KUWJ) expressed fear that the State government was planning to take control
of the media in the disguise of controlling cyber bullying. Governor Arif
Mohammed Khan signed the ordinance on 21 November 2020,154 but following
massive opposition, including from his own party leaders, Chief Minister Pinarayi
Vijayan on 23 November 2020 put the controversial amendment ordinance on
hold.155
The new “Media Policy-2020” of the Jammu and Kashmir administration

introduced in June 2020 gives unbridled power to the government to check
content of news reports and decide what constitutes “fake, anti-national and
unethical”. The policy allows the Department of Information and Public Relations
(DIPR) to monitor the media, and initiate action against an individual or an
organisation. The policy states, “Any individual or group indulging in fake news,
unethical or anti national activities or even plagiarism shall be de-empanelled
besides being proceeded against under law.”156
On 7 July 2020, the Land and Development Office under the Union Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs sent a notice to news agency Press Trust of India
(PTI), asking it to pay over Rs 84 crore as a penalty for allegedly violating the
terms under which the news agency was allotted the plot for its Parliament Street
headquarters in New Delhi. The government’s notice to PTI came two weeks
after national broadcaster Prasar Bharati threatened to cancel its subscription of
the news agency for its “anti-national coverage”
In Chhattisgarh, the state
after PTI interviewed Chinese ambassador Sun
government, which is
Weidong amid the border standoff between
drafting a law to protect
India and China. In the interview, the Chinese
journalists in the State,
diplomat had accused New Delhi of deliberately
failed to enact the law at
provoking the violent clash in Ladakh’s Galwan
the year’s end.
Valley on 15 June 2020, which led to the deaths
of at least 20 Indian soldiers.157
On 13 January 2020, the Press Council of India served a notice to Rajasthan

government over a statement by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at a press
conference held on 16 December 2019 in which he allegedly said that if the
media wanted government advertisements, they will have to show (positive)
(83)
news of the government. The PCI stated that such statement of the Chief Minister
“undermines the freedom of Press.”158
(84)
4. Attacks on journalists by the non-State
actors
The year 2020 saw the highest number of murder of journalists for doing
their professional works. At least journalists were murdered, with the highest
in Uttar Pradesh with six deaths. Out of the 13 deaths, one murder was
committed by police officials along with others, and the rest by the non-state
actors. Apart from the murders, at least 55 journalists were physically
attacked or subjected to harassment/theats online by the non-state actors.
During 2020, at least 68 journalists were attacked by the non-State actors such
as mob, unidentified miscreants, members/ supporters of political parties etc or
online across the country. Of these, 13 journalists were killed and at least 55
journalists, including women, were physically attacked or harassed/ threatened
online by the non-state actors during the year.
4.1. Killing of journalists

During 2020, at least 13 journalists were murdered for doing their jobs in India.
Uttar Pradesh reported the highest death with six deaths, followed by Assam
and Madhya Pradesh with two deaths each and Kerala, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
with one death each. One disturbing pattern that emerged was that prior to their
deaths, some of the journalists had approached the local police seeking protection
but the police failed to take action that could have saved their lives.
The details of killing of 13 journalists in the country during 2020 are given below :
Table 7 : List of journalists killed
Sl. Name of journalists State Perpetrators

No. killed
1 Shubham Mani Tripathi Uttar Pradesh Unidentified persons
(85)
2 Vikram Joshi Uttar Pradesh A group of men

including one Ravi
Kumar
3 Ratan Singh Uttar Pradesh Unidentified persons
4 Suraj Pandey Uttar Pradesh Some persons including

two police personnel
5 Uday Paswan Uttar Pradesh Former village head,

Keval Paswan and
his sons
6 Rakesh Singh Uttar Pradesh Former village head,

Ravi Chaudhary, Ram
Surat and Babu Mishra
7 Sunil Tiwari Madhya Pradesh Unidentified persons
8 Syed Adil Wahab Madhya Pradesh Unidentified persons
9 Bijendeep Tanti Assam A woman
10 Parag Bhuyan Assam Unidentified persons
11 Isravel Moses Tamil Nadu A gang of drug dealers
12 SV Pradeep Kerala Unidentified persons
13 Abhishek Soni Rajasthan Unidentified persons
The details of the cases are given below.

Case 1: Shubham Mani Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh
On 19 June 2020, Shubham Mani Tripathi alias Nikk (25 years), a journalist
with a Hindi daily named Kampu Mail, was shot dead by unidentified persons
near Doodh Mandi in Gangaghat area in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh. He was
returning home with his friend on a motorcycle when the incident took place.
Prior to his death, Shubham Mani Tripathi was threatened by a woman identified
as Divya Awasthi, who dealt with land businesses and was politically connected.
He had filed an FIR against her but the police did not take any action. He then in
(86)
a Facebook post had expressed concern about his safety but the police did not
take him seriously.159 On 26 June 2020, the PCI condemned the killing and
sought a report from the State Government.160
Case 2: Vikram Joshi, Uttar Pradesh
On 20 July 2020, Vikram Joshi who worked for Jansagar Today was shot dead in
front of his two minor daughters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Earlier on 16
July 2020, Vikram Joshi had submitted a complaint to the police, claiming that
his niece was being sexually harassed by a group of men, including one Ravi
Kumar. On 17 July, Vikram and his sister went to the office of the Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ghaziabad and filed a second complaint against
the group but the police did not take any action.
The people against whom he had filed One disturbing pattern
complaints allegedly killed him.161 that emerged with respect
to the murders was that
Case 3: Sunil Tiwari, Madhya Pradesh prior to their deaths, some
of the journalists had
On the night of 22 July 2020, Sunil Tiwari (39
approached the local police
years), a reporter for Nai Duniya newspaper, was seeking protection but the
waylaid by a group of seven or eight persons, police failed to take
beaten and then shot dead in front of his brother action that could have
Ashish in Niwari, Madhya Pradesh. Earlier on saved their lives.
25 May 2020, Sunil Tiwari had uploaded a video
on his Facebook page, appealing to the Superintendent of Police (SP), Niwari,
Collector, Niwari, and SP, Jhansi for help as he and his family had received death
threats for the past one year after he exposed the “illegal activities” of three men
namely Avdhesh Tiwari, Narendra Tiwari and Anil Tiwari. But police did not
register his FIR.162
Case 4: Bijendeep Tanti, Assam
On 8 August 2020, journalist Bijendeep Tanti (32 years), who worked for a
private TV channel News Time Assam, was found dead at his rented office room
at Tinsukia town in Assam.163 According to police, the journalist was murdered
in the night of 6 August. The prime accused was arrested.164
(87)
Case 5: Ratan Singh, Uttar Pradesh
On the night of 24 August 2020, Ratan Singh (43 years), a journalist working
for a Hindi news channel, was shot dead near his home in Ballia district, Uttar
Pradesh. He was reportedly chased and shot dead by three men. According to
police, the journalist was killed over a property dispute. However, the deceased’s
father Binod Singh rejected the claim of the police.165
Case 6: Syed Adil Wahab, Madhya Pradesh
On 8 November 2020, Syed Adil Wahab (35 years), a TV journalist, was found
dead in a patch of jungle in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. His head and face were
smashed. According to the police, he was killed elsewhere and the body was
dumped in the forest.166
Case 7: Isravel Moses, Tamil Nadu
On 8 November 2020, Isravel Moses (27 years), a TV journalist, was called out
of his house and beaten to death by a gang of drug dealers in Kancheepuram
district, Tamil Nadu. The deceased’s father Gnanaraj alleged that the police did
not take any action on his son’s complaint that his life was in danger. Moses had
received death threat after he reported on anti-social activities including sale of
ganja.167.
Case 8: Parag Bhuyan, Assam
On the night of 11 November 2020, a senior journalist Parag Bhuyan (53 years)
was killed by a speeding truck on the NH-15 near his residence at Kakopothar
town in Tinsukia district of Assam. Bhuyan who was the Kakopathar
correspondent of Pratidin Time had received threats for exposing corruption a
few days before being killed. Nitumoni Saikia, Editor-in-Chief of Pratidin Time,
in a statement alleged that the journalist was murdered as he has been doing
series of reporting exposing illegalities and corruption around Kakopothar.168
Case 9: Suraj Pandey, Uttar Pradesh
On 12 November 2020, the body of journalist Suraj Pandey (25 years) who
worked for a local Hindi daily was found on a railway track in Unnao district,
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Uttar Pradesh. Police claimed that the journalist committed suicide. However,
the police lodged a case on charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and criminal
intimidation against some persons including two police personnel identified as
Sub-Inspector Suneeta Chaurasia and Constable Amar Singh on the basis of a
complaint by Suraj’s mother. The complaint alleged that Suraj was killed by the
accused and the body was thrown on the track to project it as suicide.169
Case 10: Uday Paswan, Uttar Pradesh
On 16 November 2020, Uday Paswan, a correspondent with a Hindi daily, was

beaten to death at Barwadih village under Kone police station in Sonbhadra
district, Uttar Pradesh. Uday Paswan had a land dispute with the former village
head identified as Keval Paswan. There had been threat to their life in connection
with the land dispute since 2016 and they had been demanding police protection.
However, no police protection was provided. On 16 November, Uday Paswan
and his wife, Sheetla Paswan had gone to the police station to seek police
protection in view of threat. While returning, the Keval Paswan and his sons had
brutally beaten Uday and his wife. Uday died on the spot, while his wife
succumbed to her injuries in a hospital later.170
Case 11: Rakesh Singh, Uttar Pradesh
On 27 November 2020, Rakesh Singh (27 years), a journalist with a local

newspaper, and his friend Pintu Sahu (34 years), died of burn injuries after the
house of the journalist was set ablaze by a former village head identified as Ravi
Chaudhary, Ram Surat and Babu Mishra at Kalwari village in Balrampur district,
Uttar Pradesh. Pintu died on the spot, while the journalist died at hospital. In his
dying statement, Rakesh Singh named the three accused and said that he was
targeted for writing against corrupt practices of the former village head.171 On 3
December, PCI took suo motu cognizance and sought a report from the
government of Uttar Pradesh.172
Case 12: SV Pradeep, Kerala
On 15 December 2020, journalist SV Pradeep was killed after a vehicle hit his
scooter near Karakkamandapam, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Pradeep’s wife
Sreeja S Nair alleged that her husband faced threats over his reportage and there
(89)
was pressure on him to withdraw his plea before the court for a Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) probe into the honey-trap case involving a minister. She
also expressed her disappointment at the police’s preliminary findings that there
was nothing suspicious about the accident.173
Case 13: Abhishek Soni, Rajasthan
On 23 December 2020, Abhishek Soni (27 years), a video journalist, died after
he was attacked with iron rods by three persons for trying to save his female
journalist friend from molestation in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The attack took place on
8 December 2020 when Soni was at a local eatery along with his friend. Three
persons came on a motorcycle at the eatery and tried to molest the female
journalist. When Soni tried to save his friend, he was brutally attacked with batons
and iron rods. He was taken to the hospital where he died. Police registered a
case under various provisions of the IPC including for murder.174
4.2. Physical attacks or threats by the non state actors
• 55 journalists were subjected to physical violence or online

harassment/threats during 2020.
• The attackers comprises vigilantes/mob, unidentified
miscreants or members/ supporters of political parties.
• In some cases, ouses of journalists were attacked/demolished
and family members were beaten up.
At least 55 journalists, including women, were physically attacked or harassed/

threatened online by the non-state actors during 2020. These included 11
journalists who were allegedly attacked by members/ supporters of political
parties; at least 37 journalists who were physically attacked by vigilantes/mob
and unidentified miscreants; and six journalists who were subjected to online
harassment/threat. Houses of journalists were also attacked/ demolished.
i. Political parties
At least 14 journalists were targeted including houses of two journalists were
demolished by alleged members/supporters of political parties during 2020.
(90)
Table 8 : List of journalists targeted by political parties

Name of journalists State Perpetrator Number of
journalist/s
M Karthi Tamil Nadu Suspected 1

supporters
of AIADMK
Arnab Goswami and Maharashtra Alleged 2

Samyabrata Ray members of
Goswami Youth
Congress
Aathi Suresh Tamil Nadu Alleged 1

members of
MDMK
Hussan Lal Punjab Congress 1

Sarpanch
Naveen Kumar Telangana TRS activists 1

Chintapandu
Naveen Singh Uttar Pradesh BSP leaders 1
Kamal Shukla Chhattisgarh Congress 1

supporters
Satender Chauhan Chandigarh Alleged 1

Youth
Congress
workers
S Sam Pradeep Tamil Nadu Alleged 1
AIADMK
supporters
Chandanpreet Kaur and Punjab Congress 2

Surendra leader
(91)
Demolistion of under- Telangana Municipal 1

construction house of Commission
Mr Paramesh supported by
TRS MLA
Vandalisation of house Andhra Pradesh YSR 1

of Mr Venkata Narayana Congress
Total 14
The details of cases of physical attacks by alleged members/supporters of political

parties are given below:
Case 1: M Karthi, Tamil Nadu
On the night of 3 March 2020, M Karthi, a journalist with Tamil magazine

Kumudam Reporter, was attacked by assailants in Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district,
Tamil Nadu. He was injured in the attack and had to be admitted at a hospital in
Sivakasi.175 The police arrested two persons who claimed that they were upset
with the reports of the journalist on an intra-party feud in the ruling All India
Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).176
Case 2: Arnab Goswami and Samyabrata Ray Goswami, Maharashtra
On 23 April 2020, Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV and his wife

Samyabrata Ray Goswami, were allegedly attacked by Youth Congress workers
on their way back from the TV news studio in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Republic
World reported that the attack took place barely 500 metres away from Arnab
Goswami’s house while he was returning home along with his wife. In a video,
Arnab Goswami blamed Congress leaders for the attack.177
Case 3: Aathi Suresh, Tamil Nadu
On 23 April 2020, Aathi Suresh, a reporter with Velicham TV, was attacked with
iron rods and knives in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. The reporter sustained serious
injuries on his head. The attack was committed by a group allegedly led by a
local functionary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). The
police detained 30 men in connection with the attack.178
(92)
Case 4: Hussan Lal, Punjab
On 22 May 2020, Hussan Lal, a reporter with PTC Channel, was allegedly
attacked by a Congress sarpanch at Bhogpur in Jalandhar district, Punjab for
reporting about a fight.179
Case 5: Naveen Kumar Chintapandu, Telangana
On 12 July 2020, independent journalist Naveen Kumar Chintapandu alias

Teenmaar Mallanna, who ran a YouTube channel called Q News, was attacked
by alleged Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) activists near Indalwai toll plaza in
Nizamabad district, Telangana. At the time of attack, Teenmaar Mallanna was
with his advocate Umesh Chandra in the car and they were going to Armoor
police station in compliance of the notice served on him in connection with a
case registered against him for criticising Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.180
Case 6: Naveen Singh, Uttar Pradesh
On the night of 26 August 2020, journalist Naveen Singh and his family members
were attacked allegedly by a leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and two
others at Jagriti Vihar colony in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. According to
Singh, he received a call from BSP leader named Raviraj and when he went out
of his house, Raviraj started hitting him. Soon, Prince Yadav and Anshu Yadav,
who lived in the neighborhood, helped Raviraj in assaulting Singh. When the
journalist’s elder brother Avinash tried to intervene the attackers also hit him on
his head.181
Case 7: Kamal Shukla, Chhattisgarh
On 26 September 2020, senior journalist Kamal Shukla, who is editor of Bhumkal

Samachar magazine and head of the Patrakar Suraksha Kanoon Sanyukt
Sangharsh Samiti, was beaten allegedly by local Congress leaders/workers in
Kanker (North Bastar) district, Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when Shukla
went to the local police station after hearing that a journalist, Satish Yadav was
assaulted by local municipal corporators belonging to the ruling Congress party.
Shukla alleged that inside the police station, Ghaffar Memom, a representative
of the local Congress MLA, Shishupal Shori, waved a pistol at him, saying Kamal
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Shukla should be killed as he was the real culprit. Shukla said he was targeted
because he had written about Shori’s involvement in sand smuggling.182 On 12
October, PCI sought a report on the incident from the Chhattisgarh
government.183
Case 8: Satender Chauhan, Chandigarh
On 2 December 2020, Satender Chauhan, a deputy editor at Aaj Tak, suffered a

head injury after men at an Indian Youth Congress rally allegedly stone-pelted at
a contingent of journalists in Chandigarh. He was covering the Youth Congress
demonstration against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Sector
15 in Chandigarh.184
Case 9: S Sam Pradeep, Tamil Nadu
On 19 December 2020, journalist S. Sam Pradeep was manhandled allegedly by

AIADMK supporters while covering an AIADMK meeting near TVS toll gate
in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Some AIADMK cadres beaten a man outside the meeting
venue and Pradeep recorded it with his mobile phone. The AIADMK cadres
turned towards him and grabbed his mobile phone. They deleted the videos
recorded by the reporter and verbally abused him.185
Case 10: Chandanpreet Kaur and Surendra, Delhi
On 22 December 2020, two journalists - Chandanpreet Kaur (25 years) and her
cameraman Surendra (41 years) of RPD 24, a Canada-based news channel, was
allegedly manhandled by Jasbir Singh Gill, a Congress Member of Parliament
from Khadoor Sahib in Punjab, while protesting against the new farm laws at
Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Gill accused the journalists of being anti-farmer. Surendra
alleged that Gill and about six or seven of his associates manhandled them and
tried to forcefully delete the footage of the interview from the camera. The next
day, the Delhi police registered a complaint against Gill at the Parliament Street
police station.186
(94)
Case 11: Demolition of the house of Paramesh, Telangana
On 22 May 2020, an under-construction house of Paramesh, a journalist working

with Telugu news channel V6, was allegedly demolished by the Narayankhed
Municipal Commission in retaliation to his reportage on an MLA’s violation of
lockdown rules by celebrating his birthday with over 500 supporters in
Telangana. The journalist had reported on the birthday celebrations of Telangana
Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLA Mahareddy Bhupal Reddy which violated lockdown
rules by involving a large number of people.187
Case 12: Vandalisation of house of Venkata Narayana, Andhra Pradesh
On 30 August 2020, the house of a reporter Venkata Narayana working with a

Telugu daily was vandalised allegedly by men of a YSR Congress Party leader at
Palamanar under Punganur police station in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.188
However, the police said the attack was carried out not by any political party
activists but by the family of a sexual assault survivor as the reporter allegedly
tried to mediate between the survivor and the man who assaulted her. A video
clip of a man smashing household appliances, gas cylinders, a plastic chair etc in
the house of the journalist went viral on social media.189
ii. Attacks by vigilantes, unidentified persons or mob
Delhi with 10 attacks reported the highest number of attacks against

journalists by vigilantes, unidentified persons or mob during 2020,
followed by Tripura (9); Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh (4 each);
Odisha (3); Bihar (2); and Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat,
Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab (1 each).
At least 39 journalists were physically attacked, including in which house of one

journalist was attacked and his two family members beaten up, in the line of
duty by vigilantes/mob and unidentified miscreants during 2020.
Of them, 10 were attacked in Delhi, followed by Tripura (9); Karnataka and

Uttar Pradesh (4 each), Odisha (3); Bihar (2); and Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab (1 each).
(95)
Table 9 : List of journalists targeted by vigilantes,

unidentified persons and mob
Name of journalists State Number of

journalists
Deepak Chaurasia Delhi 1
Jitendra Sharma, Neeraj Gaur and Delhi 3

Qamar Khan
Banti Das and Sevak Deb Tripura 2
Akash, Arvind Gunasekar and Saurabh Delhi 3
Balasaheb Navgire Maharashtra 1
Priyanshu Kumar Bihar 1
Hardik Joshi Gujarat 1
Mahadev Nayak Odisha 1
Haider Uttar Pradesh 1
Bibhubhusan Pati Odisha 1
Hofe Dada Arunachal Pradesh 1
House of Mr Prasantha Charkavarti Tripura 1

attacked and his family members
beaten by a mob
A journalist (unidentified) Odisha 1
Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and Delhi 3

a woman journalist
Ravi Kumar PS, Pradeep KM and Karnataka 3
Rudresh BV
Gurnam Singh Sidhu Punjab 1
Parashar Biswas Tripura 1
(96)
Samir Kanti Debnath and Suman Nag Tripura 2
Rajan Pandey Bihar 1
Jomon V Xavier Kerala 1
Vinay Tiwari Uttar Pradesh 1
Milan Mahanta Assam 1

A woman journalist Karnataka 1
Akarshan Uppal Haryana 1
Ravi Choudhary Uttar Pradesh 1
Ashwini Nigam Uttar Pradesh 1
Prangopal Acharya, Pintu Paul and Tripura 3

Biswajit Debnath
Total 39
The details of the cases of physical attacks on journalists by the non-state actors
are given below.
On 24 January 2020, Deepak Chaurasia, News Nation editor, was heckled by a

mob at a protest site in Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi. A man in a yellow jacket
stopped Chaurasia from reporting, snatched away papers from his hand and
heckled the News Nation team during live coverage of the anti-CAA protests at
Shaheen Bagh. The miscreants allegedly destroyed their camera.190
On 30 January 2020, Jitendra Sharma, Senior reporter with Zee News, his associate
Neeraj Gaur and cameraperson Qamar Khan were heckled and assaulted while
covering anti-CAA protest at Sukhdev Vihar metro station in Delhi.191
On 20 February 2020, two journalists namely Banti Das and Sevak Deb were
attacked by a miscreant identified as Nabarun Deb when they were covering an
incident of arson in Jagat Bazar market in Agartala, Tripura.192
On 25 February 2020, Akash, a journalist with JK 24x7 Channel, received a

bullet injury while covering communal violence in the Maujpur locality in
(97)
northeast Delhi. Two reporters namely Arvind Gunasekar and Saurabh from
NDTV were beaten by rioters while covering the riots. Gunasekar reportedly
lost three teeth in the attack.193
On 11 April 2020, journalist Balasaheb Navgire (35 years) was allegedly attacked
by a mob at Panegaon in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra for publishing a
report about some families who had been home quarantined for suspected
exposure to coronavirus. The attackers believed that due to the report, their
employers did not allow them to work and turned them away. The police filed a
case against the attackers.194
On 15 April 2020, Priyanshu Kumar, a TV journalist, was allegedly threatened

with death with a gun pointed on his head by a group of people in Samstipur,
Bihar. The journalist had reported on lack of social distancing in markets in
Samastipur. Kumar filed an FIR against five persons for the threat.195
On 17 May 2020, Hardik Joshi, a reporter for ABP Asmita, was attacked in
Rajkot district, Gujarat. The TV news channel claimed the assault was carried
out by protesting migrant workers whom Joshi was reporting on. He was seriously
injured. Three police personnel were also allegedly attacked.196
On 23 May 2020, a journalist identified as Mahadev Nayak was held hostage at

a temporary medical centre, a quarantine centre for COVID-19 at Korua
panchayat under Naugaon block in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. He had
published reports in his newspaper of how the sarpanch Aranya Nayak in
quarantine was provided food and clothes by his family every day in violation of
COVID-19 guidelines. When Mahadev reached the spot, the Sarpanch allegedly
snatched his mobile phone, gold chain and cash of Rs 10,000 from him and
asked the quarantined returnees in the medical centre to hold him hostage. The
journalist was rescued by the officials after six hours and had to be sent to another
quarantine facility at Alanahat village under the same block as he had come in
contact with the returnees.197
On 15 June 2020, Haider, a journalist in the electronic media, was attacked by

one Anand and his associates in the Puranpur area in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh in
(98)
connection with some stories published by him. The victim was hit with the butt
of a revolver and dragged for 100m by a car.198
On 21 June 2020, journalist Bibhubhusan Pati was attacked by two miscreants

at Sarei village under Champua Tehsil in Keonjhar district, Odisha. When the
journalist was returning home from the market on a scooty, two bike-born
miscreants waylaid him and threatened him by showing a gun. They hit him on
his head with the gun when he protested and broke one of his fingers.199
On 29 June 2020, Hofe Dada (29), a reporter of ‘Gyoloo News’, a digital media
house based in Itanagar, Aruanchal Pradesh was assaulted by four men of the
Smelting factory at Lekhi village in Papum Pare district while he was covering a
story on the pollution caused by the factory. One person was arrested in the
case.200
On 6 July 2020, a mob of more than 100 unidentified persons attacked the
house of Prasantha Charkavarti, senior journalist and General Secretary of Tripura
Union of Working Journalists, at Agartala, Tripura and destroyed the entire house.
As Prasantha Charkavarti was not present at the house, the mob beat up his
brother and sister.201 On 13 July, the PCI took suo-motu cognizance of the case
and issued notice to the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director
General of Police, Tripura.202
On 31 July 2020, a journalist working for a web portal was attacked for capturing
the visuals of gross violation of COVID-19 norms at Durga Nursing Home in
Kendrapada town in Odisha. The journalist was allegedly verbally abused, brutally
thrashed and then thrown out of the hospital by the hospital staff. A Sub Inspector
who was sent to investigate the matter was also attacked by the hospital owner’s
sons and his associates including two doctors. The next day the police arrested
eight people, including two doctors of the private nursing home.203
On 11 August 2020, a mob assaulted three journalists working with The Caravan
magazine identified as Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and a woman journalist in
Subhash Mohalla, in North Ghonda neighbourhood in northeast Delhi, while
reporting on a follow up story concerning the Delhi riots of February 2019.
The journalists were attacked, subjected to communal slurs, threatened with
(99)
murder, and sexually harassed. The journalists were taking photographs of saffron
flags that had been flown in the area, when some men approached and told
them to stop. One of the men, who was wearing a saffron kurta and had a bandage
on his arm, identified himself as a “BJP general secretary.” He asked Tantray for
his identity card. The mob launched their attack upon realising that Tantray was
Muslim.204 On 25 August 2020, the PCI sought a report from the Chief Secretary,
the Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi.205
On 11 August 2020, Ravi Kumar PS, Chief of the Crime Bureau at the Kannada
news channel Suvarna TV and his colleagues Pradeep KM (reporter) and Rudresh
BV (cameraman) were assaulted by the rioters while covering the riots that broke
out in east Bangalore, Karnataka in protest against an allegedly derogatory
Facebook post about Prophet Muhammad.206
On 12 August 2020, Gurnam Singh Sidhu, reporter of babushahi.com was beaten

up by eight persons led by one Amit in the premises of the Press Club in Ferozpur,
Punjab. Sidhu was working in the club, when Amit along with other accused
entered and started thrashing him. To save himself, Sidhu ran to the roof but he
was followed by Amit who picked up a brick and hit him on his head.207
On 12 September 2020, Parashar Biswas, a journalist from Ambassa of Dhalai

district, was assaulted by 6-7 people at his residence and Ashok Dasgupta, a
television reporter from Belonia of South Tripura, was beaten up by some persons
after he tried to cover drinking water shortage at Matai in South Tripura district.208
On 25 September 2020, two journalists were allegedly beaten up when they

were clicking photos of vandalism at Barpathari market in South Tripura district
of Tripura. The victims were identified as Samir Kanti Debnath, reporter of a
local daily, and Suman Nag, a TV journalist.209
On 29 September 2020, Rajan Pandey, a journalist working with a Hindi daily,

was shot at by three men in Manjagadh police station area in Gopalganj district
of Bihar. Police claimed that Pandey was attacked due to personal enmity.210
On 31 October 2020, Jomon V Xavier, a journalist of Janayugam newspaper,

the mouthpiece of Communist Party of India (CPI), was attacked by miscreants
with hockey sticks at Karimannur in Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala.
(100)
The seriously injured journalist was admitted to a private hospital in

Thodupuzha.211
On 7 November 2020, journalist Vinay Tiwari (40 years) was allegedly beaten
up with sticks by a village head identified as Babita Mishra and her sons, Vivek
Mishra, Abhishek Mishra and Aryan Mishra at Dhaura village in Lalitpur district,
Uttar Pradesh. The attack took place when Vinay Tiwari, who works for a local
news channel, Bundelkhand Times TV, when he was taking photographs of
MGNREGA work done by machines instead of labourers. The journalist’s mobile
phone, motorcycle and cash were also taken away. An FIR was lodged against
the four accused under Sections 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing
robbery), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504
(Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal
intimidation) of the IPC.212
On 15 November 2020, Milan Mahanta, a journalist with leading Assamese

daily Pratidin, was tied to an electricity pole and beaten by five men at Mirza near
Guwahati, Assam. The victim suffered injuries to his neck, head and ears. In his
FIR filed at the Palash Bari Police Station, the journalist stated that he had reported
about gambling in rural areas of Assam ahead of Diwali and that the attackers
were gamblers.213
On 1 December 2020, a woman journalist was attacked by a mob at Pension

Mohalla in Hassan district of Karnataka after she reported the existence of illegal
cow slaughters in the area.214
On 7 December 2020, Akarshan Uppal, a journalist with IBN24, was brutally

attacked with lathis (sticks) and sharp weapons in Karnal, Haryana for reporting
on a drugs case. He suffered head injuries and admitted to a hospital in a critical
condition. Following his report, one Gurmeet Singh was arrested by the police
and he died in prison custody. After Singh’s death, Akarshan and his family
allegedly received life threatening calls from Gurmeet Singh’s elder brother
identified as Ghelu who suspected Akarshan was involved in his brother’s arrest.215
On 7 December 2020, Press Trust of India (PTI) photojournalist Ravi

Choudhary was allegedly attacked by 5-6 men in Ganga Canal Road in Ghaziabad,
(101)
Uttar Pradesh. The journalist alleged that the attackers came in a BOLERO car
(No: UP 14 DN 9545) with “bharat sarkar” written on it. He further alleged
that Muradnagar police refused to lodge FIR. Choudhary’s photograph of a
farmer being beaten by a police officer during the farmers’ protest had gone
viral some days prior to the attack on him.216
On 10 December 2020, Ashwini Nigam who works for R9 TV channel was

attacked with rods by unidentified persons when he tried to pacify two clashing
groups under the Kalyanpur police station limits in Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Two men were arrested in this case.217
On 20 December 2020, three journalists identified as Prangopal Acharya, Pintu

Paul and Biswajit Debnath were allegedly attacked by unidentified persons while
they were covering a clash between ruling BJP and opposition Communist Party
of India-Marxist workers at Khayerpur under Bodhjungnagar police station in
West Tripura district of Tripura. In a police complaint, the journalists stated that
they were threatened with dire consequences and the attackers tried to snatch
their cameras.218
iii. Online threats/harassment

• This reported documented six journalists who were harassed,
abused and threatened online in 2020.
• Four out of six were female journalists.
• The threats include assault, rape and murder.
A number of journalists were harassed, abused and threatened with rape and
murder online during 2020. Some of the cases are given below:
Case 1: Vidya Krishnan, Maharashtra
On 27 March 2020, journalist Vidya Krishnan wrote a report on the government’s

‘callousness’ response on COVID-19 pandemic. Following the report, Vidya
was constantly subjected to sexist insults and threatened with assault, rape and
murder on social media.219
(102)
Case 2: Nisha Purushothaman, Kamalesh KG and Prajula Kamalesh, Kerala
In August 2020, three journalists of Kerala namely Nisha Purushothaman (Chief

News Producer of Manorama News), Kamalesh KG (Principal Correspondent
with Asianet News) and Prajula Kamalesh (News Editor with Asianet News) filed
a police complaint after they were harassed on social media by alleged sympathisers
of the Communist Party of India-Marxist. These journalists, and others working
with the two channels, alleged that during the coverage of the COVID-19
pandemic, the gold smuggling case and the floods in the state, they and their
families were targeted online.220
Case 3: Tongam Rina, Arunachal Pradesh
Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times, received several threats
of physical violence online for her article published on 23 April 2020 under the
caption “wildlife hunting on spike, says a forest official” published in The Arunachal
Times. On 19 May 2020, the PCI expressed concern and sought a report from
the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.221
Case 4: Rana Ayyub, Maharashtra
In July 2020, journalist Rana Ayyub tweeted about Kashmir issue. The tweets
resulted in rape and death threats against her across social media platforms.
Mumbai police took cognizance of the online threats.222
(103)
5. Endnotes
1. Centre asks PTI to pay over Rs 84 crore as penalty for ‘breaches’ at its Delhi
office, Scroll.in, 12 July 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/967344/centre-asks-pti-
to-pay-over-rs-84-crore-as-penalty-for-breaches-at-its-delhi-office
2. Journalist held in Tamil Nadu, press body cries foul, Hindustan Times, 13
January 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/journalist-held-in-
tn-press-body-cries-foul/story-A3gKlIlUDQmJfVykF9J4UP.html
3. Journalist Arrested in Chennai for Selling Book Criticising Government,
Newsclick, 14 January 2020, https://www.newsclick.in/Journalist-Arrested-
Chennai-Selling-Book-Criticising-Government
4. Anti-CAA protesters detained in Hyderabad allege ill-treatment by city police,
The News Minute, 10 February 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/
anti-caa-protesters-detained-hyderabad-allege-ill-treatment-city-police-117859
5. Hyderabad journalist covering anti-CAA protest detained by police for 12 hours,
The News Minute, 9 February 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/
hyderabad-journalist-covering-anti-caa-protest-detained-police-12-hours-
117834
6. Poet, journalist arrested in Karnataka after complaint by BJP leader over anti-
CAA poem, First Post, 19 February 2020, https://www.firstpost.com/india/
poet-journalist-arrested-in-karnataka-after-complaint-by-bjp-leader-over-anti-
caa-poem-8060331.html
7. Bihar: Journalist arrested for spreading rumours of a COVID-19 death in
Jamalpur, United News of India (UNI), 6 April 2020, http://www.uniindia.com/
bihar-journalist-arrested-for-spreading-rumours-ofa-covid-19-death-in-
jamalpur/east/news/1944016.html
8. Scribe who exposed violations at PHC booked as fake journo?, The New Indian
Express, 9 April 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/
apr/09/scribe-who-exposed-violations-at-phc-booked-as-fake-journo-
2127664.html
9. Kashmir journalists continue to be harassed, summoned and intimidated, The
Federal, 21 April 2020, https://thefederal.com/states/north/jammu-and-
kashmir/kashmir-journalistscontinue-to-be-harassed-summoned-and-
intimidated/
(105)
10. ‘Mistake in facts’: Mumbai cops drop charges against TV journalist booked
for crowding at Bandra station, The Indian Express, 9 August 2020, https://
indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mistake-in-facts-police-drop-charges-
against-tv-journalist-booked-for-spreading-misinformation-leading-to-bandra-
railway-station-crowding-incident-6546420/
11. Tamil Nadu Journalist Held For Reporting On Doctors Not Getting Food,
PPE At Work, Outlook, 24 April 2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/website/
story_new/india-news-tamil-nadu-journalist-held-for-reporting-on-doctors-not-
getting-food-ppe-at-work/351372
12. Journalists Covering Pandemic Feel the Heat, Arrests and Interrogation, The
Citizen, 3 May 2020, https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/
index/9/18693/Journalists-Covering-Pandemic-Feel-the-Heat-Arrests-and-
Interrogation
13. Scribe arrest protest, The Telegraph, 26 May 2020, https://www.telegraphindia.
com /jharkhand/scribe-arrest-protest-in-jharkhand/cid/1776070
14. See https://hrln.org/uploads/2020/07-July/31-Fri/Journalists%20during%20
COVID19.pdf
15. Andaman Journalist Arrested For Asking Coronavirus-related Question On
Twitter, Released On Bail, Outlook, 28 April 2020, https://
www.outlookindia.com/website/story_new/india-news-andaman-journalist-
arrested-over-tweet-on-coronavirus-gets-bail/351639
16. Government officer, scribe among four held for ‘communalising’ Twitter posts
on COVID-19 in Andamans, The New Indian Express, 28 April 2020, https:/
/www. newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/apr/29/government-officer-scribe-
among-four-held-for-communalising-twitter-posts-on-covid-19-in-andamans-
2137029.html
17. NIA takes 3 Kerala youths into custody over alleged Maoist links, Manorama,
3 May 2020, https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/05/03/nia-
nabs-three-youths-with-maoist-links.html
18. Haryana: Photo journalist informs cops about stone pelting, is arrested ‘for
creating nuisance’, ‘spreading dangerous disease’, The Indian Express, 1 June
2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/haryana-photo-
journalist-informs-cops-about-stone-pelting-is-arrested-for-creating-nuisance-
spreading-dangerous-disease-6437770/
19. Gujarat HC quashes sedition case against editor who reported CM may be
replaced, The Indian Express, 8 November 2020, https://indianexpress.com/
article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-high-court-journalist-dhaval-patel-sedition-
case-vijay-rupani-7012269/
20. NHRC acts on complaint of journalists being targeted amid lockdown in
Varanasi, The Caravan, 21 July 2020, https://caravanmagazine.in/media/
journalists-crackdown-up-varanasi-musahar-nhrc-corornavirus-lockdown
(106)
21. Press freedom? Mamata govt arrests journalist who exposed Amphan ‘cut
money’ ring, The Free Press Journal, 2 July 2020, https://
www.freepressjournal.in/india/press-freedom-mamata-govt-arrests-journalist-
who-exposed-amphan-cut-money-ring
22. HC grants bail to journalist arrested for telecasting alleged TMC corruption,
The Telegraph, 15 August 2020, https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/
calcutta-high-court-grants-bail-to-journalist-arrested-for-telecasting-alleged-
corruption-by-trinamul-congress/cid/1789144
23. Editor, staff arrested for ‘fake news’ on CM’s health, The Hindu, 6 July 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/editor-staff-arrested-for-
fake-news-on-cms-health/article32005392.ece
24. Dhubri scribe arrested in cattle smuggling case; Guwahati Press Club seeks
CM’s intervention, NE Now, 16 July 2020, https://nenow.in/north-east-news/
assam/dhubri-journalist-arrested-for-reporting-against-cattle-smuggling-
guwahati-press-club-seeks-assam-cms-intervention.html
25. CID to investigate arrest of Assam journalist who ‘exposed’ nexus between
cattle smugglers, cops, First Post, 18 July 2020, https://www.firstpost.com/
india/cid-to-investigate-arrest-of-assam-journalist-who-exposed-nexus-
between-cattle-smugglers-cops-8613791.html
26. During Lockdown, Maharashtra Has Cracked Down on Journalists and Media,
The Wire, 7 August 2020, https://thewire.in/media/covid-19-lockdown-
maharashtra-crackdown-journalists-media-freedom-ncp-congress-shiv-sena
27. Kashmir Journalist Qazi Shibli detained under 107 CRPC, shifted to Srinagar
Central Jail, Kashmir Monitor, 4 August 2020, https://
www.thekashmirmonitor.net/kashmir-journalist-qazi-shibli-detained-under-
107-crpc-shifted-to-srinagar-central-jail/
28. Uttarakhand HC grants interim bail to journalist held on sedition charge, India
Legal, 5 September 2020, https://www.indialegallive.com/top-news-of-the-day/
news/uttarakhand-hc-grants-interim-bail-to-journalist-held-on-sedition-charge/
29. Journalist Prashant Kanojia again arrested by Uttar Pradesh police,
Newslaundry, 18 August 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/08/18/
journalist-prashant-kanojia-arrested-by-uttar-pradesh-police-again
30. Two months after his arrest, journalist Prashant Kanojia gets bail, Newslaundry,
21 October 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/10/21/two-months-
after-his-arrest-journalist-prashant-kanojia-gets-bail
31. UP: FIR against journalist for online post against PM, CM, The Indian Express,
8 April 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/up-fir-against-
journalist-foronline-post-against-pm-cm-6352480/
(107)
32. Journalist from Leh arrested for ‘third party comment on his FB group against
BJP leader ’, Free Press Kashmir, 9 September 2020, https://
freepresskashmir.news/2020/09/09/journalist-from-leh-arrested-for-third-
party-comment-on-his-fb-group-against-bjp-leader/
33. UP: Journalist Arrested After He Clicked Photos of School Kids Mopping
Floor, The Wire, 9 September 2020, https://thewire.in/government/up-
journalist-arrested-after-he-clicked-photos-of-school-kids-mopping-floor
34. Two Republic TV journalists, driver arrested in Raigad for trying to enter
Uddhav’s farmhouse; channel claims no legal representation allowed, The Free
Press Journal, 9 September 2020, https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/
three-arrested-in-raigad-for-trying-to-enter-uddhavs-farmhouse-news-channel-
says-they-are-republic-tv-journalists
35. Aakar Patel Arrested Over Tweets on Modi, Ghanchi Caste; Gets Bail, The
Quint, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/aakar-patel-arrested-over-tweets-
on-modi-ghanchi-caste-gets-bail#read-more
36. BJP MLA in Gujarat files FIR against journalist Aakar Patel, Scroll.in, 3 July
2020, https://scroll.in/latest/966361/bjp-mla-in-gujarat-files-fir-against-aakar-
patel
37. Delhi HC Grants Bail to Journalist Rajeev Sharma, Held Under Official Secrets
Act, The Wire, 4 December 2020, https://thewire.in/law/rajeev-sharma-bail-
delhi-high-court-journalist-official-secrets-act-china
38. Manipur Scribe Held Again for Sedition, This Time for FB Post Slamming
Insult to Tribal Woman, The Wire, 8 October 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/
manipur-journalist-kishorechandra-wangkhem-arrest-facebook-meitei-maram-
facebook
39. Manipur: Jailed Journalist Kishore Chandra Wangkhem Granted Bail, The
Wire, 10 December 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/manipur-jailed-journalist-
kishore-chandra-wangkhem-bail
40. Held on way to Hathras, Kerala journalist, 3 others charged under anti-terror
law, The Indian Express, 7 October 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/
india/hathras-protests-kerala-journalist-three-others-booked-sedition-uapa-up-
police-6706683/
41. See https://odishatv.in/odisha-news/action-against-otv-by-odisha-govt-editors-
guild-of-india-expresses-concern-and-dismay-485155
42. Media freedom at stake amid arrests of journalists, Tehelka, 17 November
2020, http://tehelka.com/media-freedom-at-stake-amid-arrests-of-journalists/
43. TV Anchor Arnab Goswami Arrested, Sent To Judicial Custody For 2 Weeks,
NDTV, 4 November 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arnab-goswami-
arrested-for-allegedly-abetting-suicide-of-interior-designer-say-police-news-
agency-pti-2320301
(108)
44. Arnab Goswami released from Mumbai jail after Supreme Court order,
Scroll.in, 11 November 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/978298/arnab-goswami-
released-from-mumbai-jail-after-supreme-court-order
45. Bombay High Court asks Arnab Goswami to appear before Mumbai Police
today, The Indian Express, 10 June 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/
india/bombay-high-court-asks-arnab-goswami-to-appear-before-mumbai-
police-today-6451376/
46. SC allows probe of FIR against Arnab Goswami over Palghar news show but
quashes 14 related cases, The Indian Express, 19 May 2020, https://
www.newindian express.com/nation/2020/may/19/sc-allows-probe-of-fir-
against-arnab-goswami-over-palghar-news-show-but-quashes-14-related-cases-
2145405.html
47. SC stops arrest of 4 journalists who stinged TMC MLAs, The Times of India,
11 February 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-stops-arrest-
of-4-journalists-who-stinged-tmc-mlas/articleshowprint/74072656.cms
48. How A Journalist Is Fighting Telangana’s KCR Government That Filed An
FIR Against Him For Doing His Job, Swarajya, 13 February 2020, https://
swarajyamag. com/politics/how-a-journalist-is-fighting-telanganas-kcr-
government-that-filed-an-fir-against-him-for-doing-his-job
49. Assam journalist slapped with sedition charges over CAA remarks, NE Now,
20 February 2020, https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-journalist-
slapped-with-sedition-charges-over-caa-remarks.html
50. Chhattisgarh: After pics of tribals wearing leaf masks goes viral, Bastar police
slap case against journalist, The Times of India, 29 March 2020, https://
timesofindia. indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-after-pics-of-tribals-
wearing-leaf-masks-goes-viral-bastar-police-slaps-case-against-journalist/
articleshow/74877307.cms
52. https://ipi.media/covid19-media-freedom-monitoring/
53. Himachal Pradesh’s journalists face FIRs, harassment for reporting on
government failures, Newslaundry, 12 May 2020, https://
www.newslaundry.com/2020/05/12/himachal-pradeshs-journalists-face-firs-
harassment-for-reporting-on-government-failures
55. UP Police FIR Against The Wire an ‘Attack on Freedom of the Press’, The
Wire, 1 April 2020, https://thewire.in/media/up-police-fir-against-the-wire-an-
attack-on-freedom-of-the-press
(109)
56. Prashant Bhushan, ex-IAS officer, journalist booked for ‘insulting religion’,
The Indian Express, 14 April 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/
prashant-bhushan-ex-ias-officer-journalist-booked-for-insulting-religion-
6361349/
59. UP police book journalist over ‘fake news’, Outlook, 13 April 2020, https://
www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/up-police-book-journalist-over-fakenews/
1801266
60. Press Council of India, press release 10.07.2020, https://
www.presscouncil.nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleaseUPdatedtenjuly.pdf
61. Kashmiri Female Photojournalist Booked Under UAPA For ‘Anti-national’ Social
Media Posts, Outlook, 20 April 2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/website/
story_new/india-news-kashmiri-female-photojournalist-booked-under-uapa-
for-anti-national-social-media-posts/351127
62. J&K: FIR against journalist Gowhar Geelani for ‘unlawful activities’ on social
media, Scroll.in, 21 April 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/959871/j-k-fir-against-
journalist-gowhargeelani-for-unlawful-activities-on-social-media
63. FIR against four journalists in Karnataka, Deccan Herald, 30 April 2020,
https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-districts/fir-against-four-
journalists-in-karnataka-831796.html
64. Surge in harassment of Indian reporters over coronavirus coverage, RSF, 27
May 2020, https://rsf.org/en/news/surge-harassment-indian-reporters-over-
coronavirus-coverage
65. See https://thewire.in/media/himachal-pradesh-firs-journalists
66. Kerala Police files FIR against Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary for
broadcasting ‘Jihad flowchart’, offending sentiments of Muslims, Firstpost, 9
May 2020, https://www.firstpost.com/india/kerala-police-files-fir-against-zee-
news-editor-sudhir-chaudhary-for-broadcasting-jihad-flowchart-offending-
sentiments-of-muslims-8351041.html
67. Case filed against journalist for reporting serious disorder at the Quarantine
Center, See https://en.baaghitv.com/case-filed-against-journalist-for-reporting-
serious-disorder-at-the-quarantine-center/
(110)
68. Uttar Pradesh: Fatehpur’s journalists stand in the Ganga to protest against
harassment by administration, Newslaundry, 8 June 2020, https://
www.newslaundry. com/2020/06/08/uttar-pradesh-fatehpurs-journalists-stand-
in-the-ganga-to-protest-against-harassment-by-administration#:~:text=
On%20June%207%2C%20about%20a,for%20their%20purported%20critical
%20reporting
69. 14 FIRs against five reporters in Himachal: Complaints claim ‘fake news’;
Disaster Management Act invoked, The Indian Express, 16 May 2020, https:/
/indian express.com/article/india/14-firs-five-reporters-himachal-fake-news-
disaster-management-act-6412057/
70. ‘It’s just wrong’: Maharashtra journalist booked for reporting on migrant relief
camps, Newslaundry, 26 May 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/05/
26/its-just-wrong-maharashtra-journalist-booked-for-reporting-on-migrant-
relief-camps
71. UP: FIR Against Journalist for Report on Mismanagement at Quarantine
Centre, The Wire, 18 May 2020, https://thewire.in/media/up-fir-against-
journalist-for-report-on-mismanagement-at-quarantine-centre
72. PCI takes suo-motu cognizance on filing an FIR against Editor, Media Break
Newspaper/News portal, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 20 May 2020, https://press
council.nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/EnglishPressreleasetwenty.pdf
73. Punjab Police Beat Senior Journalist, Reporter Booked for Astrology Story on
Minister, The Wire, 24 May 2020, https://thewire.in/media/punjab-police-beat-
seniorjournalist-reporter-booked-for-astrology-story-on-minister
74. Press Council of India, press release dated 9.7.2020, https://www.presscouncil.
nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleasePunjabtwenty.pdf
75. Gwalior Police Register FIR Against Journalist for Calling BJP Leaders
‘Gappu’, ‘Tadipar’, The Wire, 28 May 2020, https://thewire.in/media/gwalior-
fir-journalist-bjp-leaders-gapputadipar
76. Rajasthan: Booked for defamation over remarks on cops, scribe says being
targeted, The Indian Express, 7 June 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/
cities/jaipur/booked-for-defamation-over-remarks-on-cops-scribe-says-being-
targeted-6446295/
77. Rajasthan High Court grants protection from arrest to journalist in defamation
case, The Indian Express, 15 June 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/
rajasthan-high-court-grants-protection-from-arrest-to-journalist-in-
defamation-case-6459133/
78. Delhi Police files FIR against journalist Vinod Dua on BJP leader’s complaint;
scribe accused of ‘misreporting’ on February riots, First Post, 6 June 2020
79. Delhi HC stays FIR against journalist Vinod Dua filed for allegedly spreading
fake news, Scroll.in, 11 June 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/964454/delhi-hc-stays-
fir-against-journalist-vinod-dua-filed-for-allegedly-spreading-fake-news
(111)
80. SC Quashes Sedition Case Against Vinod Dua, Says Every Journalist Entitled
to Protection, The Wire, 3 June 2021, https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-
quash-vinod-dua-sedition-case
81. SC Quashes Sedition Case Against Vinod Dua, Says Every Journalist Entitled
to Protection, The Wire, 3 June 2021, https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-
quash-vinod-dua-sedition-case
82. FIR against Scroll reporter an overreaction, will undermine freedom of media:
Editors Guild, The Indian Express, 10 June 2020, https://indianexpress.com/
article/india/fir-against-scroll-reporter-varanasi-report-editors-guild-statement-
6466879/
83. Suhas Chakma, “FIR Against Supriya Sharma Is Emblematic of How the
Law is Abused to Throttle Press Freedom,” The Wire, 22 June 2020; https://
thewire.in/media/supriya-sharma-fir-abuse-law-press-freedom
84. FIR against TV anchor Amish Devgan for using derogatory terms against
Sufi saint, The Hindu, 18 June 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/
mumbai/fir-against-tv-anchor-amish-devgan-for-using-derogatory-terms-
against-sufi-saint/article31857191.ece
85. News18 Anchor To Face Trial For Sufi Saint Remark, Top Court Rejects Plea,
NDTV, 7 December 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-relief-for-
j o u r n al i s t - a m i s h -d ev g an -f o r-d ef a m a t o r y -r e m a r k s - o n -s u f i -s ai n t -
2335185?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories
86. FIR filed for ‘false news’ on COVID cases in Kanpur shelter home, The Hindu,
25 June 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/fir-filed-
for-false-news-on-covid-cases-in-kanpur-shelter-home/article31909673.ece
87. Press Council of India, press release dated 25.06.2020, https://
www.presscouncil. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PRtwentyfiveN.pdf
89. Police complaint against Meghalaya journalist over, Deccan Herald, 6 July 2020,
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/police-complaint-
against-meghalaya-journalist-over-facebook-post-857883.html
90. Meghalaya HC Refuses To Quash Criminal Case Against Journalist For Her
Facebook Post About Continued Attacks Against Non-Tribals, Livelaw, 12
November 2020, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/meghalaya-hc-refuses-
to-quash-criminal-case-against-patricia-mukhim-165793
91. Meghalaya HC Refuses To Quash Criminal Case Against Journalist For Her
Facebook Post About Continued Attacks Against Non-Tribals, Livelaw, 12
November 2020, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/meghalaya-hc-refuses-
to-quash-criminal-case-against-patricia-mukhim-165793
(112)
92. UP: FIR Against Scribe for Allegedly ‘Maligning’ Government, NewsClick, 8
August 2020, https://www.newsclick.in/UP-FIR-scribe-allegedly-maligning-
government
93. In UP, journalist booked for unverified post online, The Indian Express,
Express, 4 August 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-up-
journalist-booked-for-unverified-post-online-6537986/
94. Chhattisgarh journalist booked over Facebook post, alleges police harassment,
Times of India, 17 August 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/
raipur/chhattisgarh-journalist-booked-over-facebook-post-alleges-police-
harassment/articleshow/77596170.cms
95. Chhattisgarh journalist booked in new case after circulation of ‘abusive’ video,
The Times of India, 22 October 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
city/raipur/chhattisgarh-journalist-booked-in-new-case-after-circulation-of-
abusivevideo/articleshowprint/78811339.cms
96. https://editorsguild.in/statements-issued/
97. Five scribes booked in UP’’s Bijnor, Outlook India, 9 September 2020, https:/
/www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/five-scribes-booked-in-ups-bijnor/1615135
98. https://editorsguild.in/statements-issued/
100. Mumbai Police summons reporter for ‘instigating people’ outside Kangana
Ranaut’s bungalow, First Post, 10 October 2020, https://www.firstpost.com/
entertainment/mumbai-police-summons-reporter-for-instigating-people-
outside-kangana-ranauts-bungalow-8899551.html
101. Gujarat: Three journalists, photojournalist booked for exposing ‘VIP treatment
to accused’ at police station, Deccan Herald, 5 December 2020, https://www.
deccanherald.com/national/west/gujarat-three-journalists-photojournalist-
booked-for-exposing-vip-treatment-to-accused-at-police-station-923850.html
102. ‘Don’t muzzle press’, Kashmiri journalists tell government , Hindustan Times,
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/don-t-muzzle-press-kashmiri-
journalists-tell-government/story-DATZiVtemwVxkr3YarUVtK.html
103. Journalist behind story of Dalits eating grass in Varanasi district gets notice,
The Print, 28 March 2020, https://theprint.in/india/journalist-behind-story-
of-starving-dalits-eatinggrass-in-varanasi-district-gets-notice/390385/
www.presscouncil. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleaseUPdatedtenjuly.pdf
105. Kashmir Press Club condemns case against photojournalist, seeks intervention
of Amit Shah, LG, Scroll.in, 20 April 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/959741/
kashmir-press-clubcondemns-case-against-photojournalist-seeks-intervention-
of-amit-shah-lg
(113)
106. Bastar journalist threatened with FIR for report that ‘damaged’ administration’s
image, Scroll.in, 28 April 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/960442/bastar-journalist-
threatened-withfir-for-report-that-damaged-administrations-image
107. UP journalist interrogated by police for story on low quality PPEs, Newslaundry,
2 May 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/05/02/up-journalist-
interrogated-by-police-for-story-on-low-quality-ppes
108. Editors Guild says Delhi Police questioning Express journalist is misuse of
criminal laws to intimidate, The Indian Express, 14 May 2020, https://
indianexpress.com/article/india/editors-guild-tablighi-express-journalist-delhi-
police-6408139/
109. PCI takes suo-motu cognizance for probing against the Special Correspondent,
The Indian Express, 15.05.2020, http://presscouncil.nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/
PressReleasesuomotumay.pdf
110. NIA summons Assam journalist over violence related to CAA last year , The
New Indian Express, 14 May 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/
2020/may/14/nia-summons-assam-journalist-over-violence-related-to-caa-last-
year-2143421.html
111. Guwahati Press Club writes to NIA over inquiry into journo’s role in anti-
CAA stir, The Federal, 20 May 2020, https://thefederal.com/states/north-east/
guwahati-press-club-writes-to-nia-over-inquiry-into-journos-role-in-anti-caa-
stir/
112. Statement: Fresh summons issued to Kashmir Walla editor over Srinagar
gunfight coverage, The Kashmir Walla, 10 July 2020, https://
thekashmirwalla.com/2020/07/statement-fresh-summons-issued-to-kashmir-
walla-editor-over-srinagar-gunfight-coverage/
113. Resignation by top Bengali daily editor triggers controversy, The Tribune, 1
June 2020, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/resignation-by-top-
bengali-daily-editor-triggers-controversy-92935
114. Indian authorities arrest 2 journalists covering corruption allegations in West
Bengal, Committee to Protect Journalists, 13 July 2020, https://cpj.org/2020/
07/indian-authorities-arrest-2-journalists-covering-corruption-allegations-in-
west-bengal/
115. Journalist Tandon questioned in connection with Delhi riots, The Hindu, 11
August 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/journalist-tandon-
questioned-in-connection-with-delhi-riots/article32329820.ece
116. NIA summons professor, journalist from Hyderabad in Bhima Koregaon case,
The Hindu, 7 September 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/
telangana/nia-summons-professor-journalist-from-hyderabad-in-bhima-
koregaon-case/article32540578.ece
(114)
117. Tripura: Notice to newspaper on COVID report, two journalists roughed up,
The Indian Express, 14 September 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/
north-east-india/tripura/tripura-notice-to-newspaper-on-covid-report-two-
journalist-roughed-up-6596100/
118. 3 journalists allegedly beaten by Army, Daily Excelsior, 26 December 2020,
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/3-journalists-allegedly-beaten-by-army/
119. Cop “attacks” journalist in Tripura, victim suffers injuries, action sought, The
Northeast Today, 3 January 2020, https://thenortheasttoday.com/cop-attacks-
journalist-in-tripura-victim-suffers-injuries-action-sought/
120. Two cops suspended for assaulting scribe in Goa, The Business Standard, 14
January 2020, https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/two-cops-
suspended-for-assaulting-scribe-in-goa-120011400241_1.html
121. Photojournalist ‘Beaten up’ by Police at Mumbai Anti-CAA Protest, The Wire,
7 February 2020, https://thewire.in/media/anti-caa-protest-mumbai-
photojournalist
123. Attacks on journalists, migrant workers struggling to go home: India’s
lockdown is taking a toll, Newslaundry, 24 March 2020, https://
www.newslaundry.com/2020/03/24/attacks-on-journalists-migrant-workers-
struggling-to-go-home-indias-lockdown-has-worrying-implications
124. Scribes returning home assaulted by police, The Hindu, 24 March 2020, https:/
/www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/scribes-returning-home-assaulted-
by-police/article31146126.ece
125. TV journalist beaten up by cops during reporting on lockdown, The Daily
Pioneer, 26 March 2020, https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/india/tv-
journalist-beaten-up-by-copsduring-reporting-on-lockdown.html
126. Journos attacked by police during lockdown in Andhra, stage protest, The
News Minute, 26 March 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/
journos-attacked-police-during-lockdown-andhra-stage-protest-121203
127. Handwara scribe accuses police of assault, father detained, The Kashmir Wallah,
15 April 2020, https://thekashmirwalla.com/2020/04/handwara-scribe-accuses-
police-of-assaultfather-detained/
128. Two NE residents ‘tortured’ in police station for 15 hours, The Bangalore
Mirror, 22 April 2020, https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/
c r i m e/ t w o -n e- res i d en t s - t o r t u re d - i n p o l i c e-s t a t i o n - f o r- 1 5 - h o u r s /
articleshowprint/75282066.cms?prt page=1
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129. Odisha journalist taking sick son to hospital assaulted by cop for flouting
lockdown, The Hindustan Times, 23 April 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.
com/india-news/odishajournalist-taking-sick-son-to-hospital-assaulted-by-cop-
for-flouting-lockdown/story-85O55zHwPDCdsbqWFtO1GK.html
seniorjournalist-reporterbooked-for-astrology-story-on-minister
131. Journalist covering Kanpur shelter home case alleges assault by cops, The Week,
23 June 2020, https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/06/23/journalist-
covering-kanpur-shelter-home-case-alleges-assault-by-cops.html
133. Bangalore riots: Five journalists hurt in attacks by rioters and police,
bangalore-riots-five-journalists-hurt-in-attacks-by-rioters-and-police
134. Jharkhand: Journalist Anand Dutta Beaten Up By Police, Reason Unknown,
The Logical Indian, 13 September 2020, https://thelogicalindian.com/
protestandinjustice/jharkhand-journalist-anand-dutta-abused-beaten-up-by-
police-reason-unknown-23687
135. Scribe injured in attack by policeman, Morung Express, 14 September 2020,
https://morungexpress.com/scribe-injured-in-attack-by-policeman
136. Journalists allegedly beaten by security forces in J-K’s Pulwama district, The
Hindustan Times, 16 September 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-
news/journalists-beaten-up-in-valley/story-uzSBRZiGs7lnZVNstlYb3L.html
137. Kashmir Press Club takes serious note on harassment of journalists, Ground
report.in, 17 February 2020; https://groundreport.in/kashmir-press-club-on-
journalists-harassment-in-valley/
138. Kashmir journalist assaulted, harassed by Cyber Police, for article on cyber
bullying, Sabrang, 23 September 2020, https://sabrangindia.in/article/kashmir-
journalist-assaulted-harassed-cyber-police-article-cyberbullying
139. KEG condemns scribe’s alleged abuse by police, Kashmir Images, 22 September
2020, https://thekashmirimages.com/2020/09/22/keg-condemns-scribes-
alleged-abuse-by-police/
140. The Wire journo allegedly thrashed by Lucknow Police, The United News of
India, 2 October 2020, http://www.uniindia.com/the-wire-journo-allegedly-
thrashed-by-lucknow-police/north/news/2185470.html
141. Caravan Reporter Allegedly Assaulted By Police, Detained in North Delhi,
The Wire, 17 October 2020, https://thewire.in/media/caravan-reporter-
allegedly-assaulted-by-police-detained-in-north-delhi
(116)
142. “SSP Sandeep beat us up”: Journalists covering election in Anantnag thrashed
by police, The Kashmir Walla, 10 December 2020, https://
thekashmirwalla.com/2020/12/ssp-sandeep-beat-us-up-journalists-covering-
election-in-anantnag-thrashed-by-police/
143. Forest Guard Attacks Journalists In Odisha, Breaks Camera, Sambad, 3 May
2020, https://sambadenglish.com/forest-guard-attacks-journalists-in-odisha-
breaks-camera/
144. Nagaland newspaper withdraws FIR against police officer for assaulting
journalist after apology, Scroll.in, 10 May 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/961530/
nagaland-newspaperwithdraws-fir-against-police-officer-for-assaulting-
journalist-after-apology
145. Tamil journalist beaten up for reporting on caste-discrimination, The News
Minute, 19 August 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-
journalist-beaten-reporting-caste-discrimination-131062
146. At Farmers’ Protest, Field Reporters of ‘Godi Media’ Channels Face the Heat,
The Wire, 9 December 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/farmers-protest-godi-
media-channels-ground-reporters
147. ‘Behave properly’: Mamata Banerjee warns media, says journalists falling for
BJP propaganda, India Today, 29 April 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/
story/mamata-banerjee-on-media-bjp-fake-news-1672512-2020-04-29
148. Media freedom in Bengal questioned as ABP editor quits after Mamata attack,
police summons, The Print, 3 June 2020, https://theprint.in/india/media-
freedom-in-bengal-questioned-as-abp-editor-quits-after-mamata-attack-police-
summons/434858/
149. Indian authorities arrest 2 journalists covering corruption allegations in West
Bengal, Committee to Protect Journalists, 13 July 2020, https://cpj.org/2020/
07/indian-authorities-arrest-2-journalists-covering-corruption-allegations-in-
west-bengal/
150. Monobina Gupta, Mamata Banerjee Is Following the BJP’s Path on Media
Intimidation, The Wire, 3 June 2020, https://thewire.in/media/mamata-
banerjee-abp-anirban-chattopadhyay-police
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153. Two journalists beaten up in Tripura, The Wire, 25 September 2020, https://
www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2020/09/25/ces34-tr-journalists.html
154. Harsh Kerala law brings 5yr jail for content ‘that could insult’ people, media
under lens too, The Print, 22 November 2020, https://theprint.in/india/why-
kerala-journalists-are-unhappy-about-govt-ordinance-aimed-at-tackling-cyber-
bullying/549387/
155. Amid mounting criticism, Kerala puts on hold controversial Police Act
Amendment ordinance, The Hindustan Times, 23 November 2020, https://
www. hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-withdraws-controversial-police-
act-amendment-ordinance/story-jD91EgM9OsoZxYlV8fRL3K.html
156. Jammu: New Media Policy Wants Journalists to ‘Sing Praises of the Ruler’,
Newsclick, 9 July 2020; https://www.newsclick.in/Jammu-Kashmir-New-
Media-Policy-2020-Against-Press-Freedom
157. Centre asks PTI to pay over Rs 84 crore as penalty for ‘breaches’ at its Delhi
office, Scroll.in, 12 July 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/967344/centre-asks-pti-
to-pay-over-rs-84-crore-as-penalty-for-breaches-at-its-delhi-office
www.presscouncil. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PReleasesuomoto.pdf
159. Attacks on Journalists in UP Continue: Scribe Killed in Unnao for ‘Exposing
Land Grabber’, Newsclick.in, 20 June 2020, https://www.newsclick.in/Uttar-
Pradesh-Police-Attacks-Journalist-Illegal-Mining-Sand-Mafia-Unnao
160. Press Council of India, press release dated 26.06.2020, https://www.press
council. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleaseunnao.pdf
161. Police ignored complaints of Vikram Joshi and Sunil Tiwari. And the two
journalists were killed, Newslaundry, 24 July 2020, https://
www.newslaundry.com/2020/07/24/police-ignored-complaints-of-vikram-joshi-
and-sunil-tiwari-and-the-two-journalists-were-killed
162. Police ignored complaints of Vikram Joshi and Sunil Tiwari. And the two
journalists were killed, Newslaundry, 24 July 2020, https://
www.newslaundry.com/2020/07/24/police-ignored-complaints-of-vikram-joshi-
and-sunil-tiwari-and-the-two-journalists-were-killed
163. Probe demanded into scribe death, The Assam Tribune, 10 August 2020, http:/
/www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug1020/city054
164. Murder of Tinsukia scribe: Woman who was allegedly involved arrested, The
Sentinel, 11 August 2020, https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-
news/assam-news/murder-of-tinsukia-scribe-woman-who-was-allegedly-
involved-arrested-494503
165. UP Journalist Shot Dead, Family Denies Property Dispute Claim By Cops,
NDTV.com, 25 August 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-journalist-
rattan-singh-chased-in-ballia-shot-dead-over-property-dispute-3-arrested-
police-2284683?pfrom=home-bigstory
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166. Bhopal: TV journalist murdered, motive unknown, The Times of India, 10

November 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bhopal-tv-
journalist-murdered-motive-unknown/articleshowprint/79141649.cms
167. Tamil Nadu Journalist, 27, Hacked To Death By Alleged Drug Dealers, NDTV,
9 November 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-
journalist-27-hacked-to-death-by-alleged-drug-dealers-2322939
168. Assam journalist Parag Bhuyan killed by speeding truck days after receiving
threat over stories on alleged corruption, Deccan Herald, 12 November 2020,
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/assam-journalist-
parag-bhuyan-killed-by-speeding-truck-days-after-receiving-threat-over-stories-
on-alleged-corruption-914791.html
169. UP: Journalist found dead on tracks, family alleges murder, The Indian Express,
14 November 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-journalist-
found-dead-on-tracks-family-alleges-murder-7051022/
170. Journalist, wife beaten to death in Uttar Pradesh, The Times of India, 18
November 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/scribe-wife-
beaten-to-death-in-old-enmity-in-sonbhadra-village/articleshow/79270124.cms
171. UP Journalist Set On Fire With Sanitiser, Dies, 3 Arrested: Cops, NDTV, 1
December 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-journalist-set-on-fire-
with-sanitiser-dies-3-arrested-cops-2332401?pfrom=home-bigstory
www.presscouncil. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleasefivetwotnty.pdf
173. Wife of Kerala journalist killed in hit-and-run accident unhappy with direction
of probe, The New Indian Express, 18 December 2020, https://www.newindian
express.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2020/dec/18/wife-of-kerala-
journalistkilled-in-hit-and-run-accident-unhappy-with-direction-of-probe-
2238033.html
174. Jaipur journalist dies after brutal assault with rods while trying to stop friend’s
harassment, BJP slams govt, India Today, 25 December 2020, https://www.india
today.in/cities/jaipur/story/jaipur-journalist-dies-after-brutal-assault-bjp-slams-
gehlot-1753062-2020-12-25
175. TN journalist brutally attacked in Sivakasi, Madras Reporters Guild urges
action, The News Minute, 4 March 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/
article/tn-journalist-brutally-attacked-sivakasi-madras-reporters-guild-urges-
action-119467
176. Journalist attack case: two assailants arrested in Sivakasi, The Hindu, 5 March
2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/journalist-attack-case-
two-assailants-arrested-in-sivakasi/article30989882.ece
(119)
177. Arnab Goswami alleges physical assault by Congress, calls Sonia Gandhi a
‘coward’”, The Week, 23 April 2020, https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/
04/23/arnab-goswami-alleges-physical-assault-by-congress-calls-sonia-gandhi-
a-coward.html
178. Tamil TV channel reporter attacked allegedly by local politician, cops detain
30 people, The News Minute, 24 April 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/
article/tamil-tv-channel-reporter-attacked-allegedly-local-politician-cops-detain-
30-people-123272
seniorjournalist-reporter-booked-for-astrology-story-on-minister
180. Teenmaar Mallanna allegedly attacked by ‘TRS goons’, The Hindu, 12 July
2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/teenmaar-mallanna-
allegedly-attacked-by-trs-goons/article32059954.ece
181. Journalist, Family Attacked Inside Home in Meerut Allegedly by BSP Leader,
One Held, News18, 27 August 2020, https://www.news18.com/news/india/
journalist-family-attacked-inside-home-in-meerut-allegedly-by-bsp-leader-one-
held-2823449.html
182. Chhattisgarh: Journalist Kamal Shukla Attacked by Local Congress Leaders,
FIR Registered, The Wire, 27 September 2020, https://thewire.in/media/
chhattisgarh-journalist-kamal-shukla-attacked-by-local-congress-leaders-fir-
registered
www.presscouncil. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleasehindiforfive.pdf
184. Aaj Tak journalist assaulted at Congress protest in Chandigarh, Newslaundry,
2 December 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/12/02/aaj-tak-
journalist-assaulted-at-congress-protest-in-chandigarh-2
185. Journalists seek action against AIADMK cadre, The Times of India, 20
December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/journalists-
seek-action-against-aiadmk-cadre/articleshowprint/79818610.cms
186. Congress MP manhandles journalists at Jantar Mantar, police file complaint,
Newslaundry, 24 December 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/12/24/
congress-mp-manhandles-journalists-at-jantar-mantar-police-file-complaint
187. Telangana: Home Demolished for Reporting on MLA’s Birthday Party, Alleges
Journalist, The Wire, 23 May 2020, https://thewire.in/media/telangana-
journalist-home-demolishedmla-birthday-party
188. Andhra Pradesh: TDP alleges YSRCP behind attack on journalist’s house, India
Today, 31 August 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/andhra-pradesh-
tdp-alleges-ysrcp-behind-attack-journalist-s-house-1717015-2020-08-31
(120)
189. Viral video of attack on Andhra journo’s house: YSRCP not involved, say
cops, The News Minute, 31 August 2020; https://www.thenewsminute.com/
article/viral-video-attack-andhra-journo-s-house-ysrcp-not-involved-say-cops-
132002
190. Journalist Deepak Chaurasia Heckled; Files FIR Against Miscreants, The
Quint, 25 June 2020, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/journalist-deepak-
chaurasia-attacked-files-fir-against-miscreants
191. Zee News team attacked near Sukhdev Vihar metro station in Delhi during
coverage of anti-CAA protest, Zee News, 30 January 2020, https://zeenews.
india.com/india/zee-news-team-attacked-near-sukhdev-vihar-metro-station-in-
delhi-during-coverage-of-anti-caa-protest-2260146.html
192. Assault on journalists, police nab the main accused from Kathaltali,
Tripurainfo.com, 29 February 2020, https://tripurainfo.com/TripuraNews/
Assault-on-journalists-police-nab-the-main-accused-from-Kathaltali5871.html;
also see, 8 days after incident, man arrested for attacking journalists in Tripura,
Tripurainfoway.com, 28 February 2020; http://www.tripurainfoway.com/news-
details/TN/140994/8-days-after-incident-man-arrested-for-attacking-
journalists-in-tripura.html
193. Shot at, Teeth Broken, Punched: Traumatic Tuesday for Journalists on the Job
in Violence-Hit Delhi, NDTV, 25 February 2020, https://www.news18.com/
news/india/television-journalists-attacked-in-north-east-delhi-one-serious-
2515337.html
194. Journalist beaten up for writing about qurantined families, The Telegraph, 16
April 2020, https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/coronavirus-lockdown-
journalist-beaten-up-for-writing-about-qurantined-families/cid/1765422
195. See Hindustan, 16 April 2020 at https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/
samast ipur /sto ry-jour nali st-threaten ed-t o-k ill-pist ol-with -his -lif e-
3153980.html
196. ABP Asmita reporter attacked in Gujarat, channel blames migrant workers,
Newslaundry, 19 May 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/05/19/abp-
asmita-reporter-attacked-in-gujarat-channel-blames-migrant-workers
197. Sarpanch holds scribe hostage for reporting ‘facts’ in Odisha , The New Indian
Express, 24 May 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/
may/24/sarpanchholds-scribe-hostage-for-reporting-facts-2147338.html
198. Journalist attacked in Pilibhit, 4 booked, India TV, 15 June 2020, https://
www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/journalist-attacked-in-pilibhit-4-booked-
51651.html
199. Journalist attacked by miscreants in Odisha’s Keonjhar, KalingaTV, 22 June
2020, https://kalingatv.com/state/journalist-attacked-by-miscreants-in-odishas-
keonjhar/
(121)
200. Journalist Assault Case: Police arrested one person, Arunachal24.in, 30 June
2020, https://arunachal24.in/journalist-assault-case-police-arrested-one-
person/
201. Tripura: NUJ(I) demands immediate action after journalist gets attacked,
InsideNE, 6 July 2020, https://www.insidene.com/tripura-nuji-demands-
immediate-action-after-journalist-gets-attacked/
202. Press Council of India, press release dated 13.7.2020, https://www.presscouncil.
nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleasedatedonethreetwenty.pdf
203. Journalist & SI Attacked In Kendrapada, 8 Including 2 Doctors Arrested,
Ommcom News, 1 August 2020, https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/
journalist-si-attacked-in-kendrapada-8-including-2-doctors-arrested
204. The Caravan’s journalists assaulted, sexually harassed in northeast Delhi, The
Caravan, 12 August 2020, https://caravanmagazine.in/crime/the-caravan-
journalists-assaulted-sexually-harassed-in-northeast-delhi
205. Press Council of India, press release dated 25.08.2020, https://www.press
council. nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/PressReleasethreenineaug.pdf
206. Bangalore riots: Five journalists hurt in attacks by rioters and police,
bangalore-riots-five-journalists-hurt-in-attacks-by-rioters-and-police
207. Thrashing of journalist: Ferozepur Press Club to boycott I-Day functions,
Babushahi.com, 13 August 2020; http://www.babushahi.com/full-
news.php?id= 106494
209. Two journalists beaten up in Tripura, The Wire, 25 September 2020, https://
www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2020/09/25/ces34-tr-journalists.html
210. Journalist shot at, two contractors gunned down in Bihar, The Hindustan Times,
29 September 2020; https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/journalist-
shot-at-two-contractors-gunned-down-in-bihar/story1W5hrmHmY1QvPq77Z
pn kiJ.html #:~:text=A%20journalist%20associated %20with%20Hindi,
Tuesday%2C%20the%20Bihar%20police%20said
211. Journalist of Janayugam newspaper attacked in Kerala Idukki, UNI, 2
September 2020, http://www.uniindia.com/journalist-of-janayugam-newspaper-
attacked-in-kerala/south/news/2145742.html
212. Journalist reporting on NREGA work ‘attacked’ by village head, sons, The
Indian Express, 14 November 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/
lucknow/journalist-reporting-on-nrega-work-attacked-by-village-head-sons-
7051045/
(122)
213. Assam Journalist Tied To Pole And Beaten, One Arrested, NDTV, 17 November
2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-journalist-tied-to-pole-and-
beaten-one-arrested-2326538?pfrom=home-topstories
214. Mob attacks woman journalist for reporting illegal cow slaughter in Karnataka,
India Today, 1 December 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/bengaluru/
story/mob-attacks-woman-journalist-for-reporting-illegal-cow-slaughter-in-
karnataka-1745801-2020-12-01
215. IBN24 Journalist Attacked in Karnal After Reporting Story on Drugs Case,
The Wire, 20 December 2020, https://thewire.in/media/ibn24-journalist-
attacked-in-karnal-after-reporting-a-story-on-drugs-case. See also, Journalist
attacked in Karnal critical, Sabrang, 18 December 2020, https://
www.sabrangindia.in/article/journalist-attacked-karnal-critical
216. IBN24 Journalist Attacked in Karnal After Reporting Story on Drugs Case,
The Wire, 20 December 2020, https://thewire.in/media/ibn24-journalist-
attacked-in-karnal-after-reporting-a-story-on-drugs-case
217. UP: Two held for ‘attacking’ journalist, The Indian Express, 12 December 2020,
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-two-held-for-attacking-journalist-
7101583/
218. Tripura: Three journalists attacked while covering clash between BJP and
CPI(M) workers, The Indian Express, 21 December 2020, https://
indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/tripura-two-journalists-
attacked-while-covering-clash-between-bjp-and-cpim-none-arrested-yet-
7113499/
219. See https://rsf.org/en/news/platforms-urged-prevent-harassment-journalists-
covering-covid-19
220. Three Kerala journalists harassed online, complain against CPI(M) ‘cyber team’,
The News Minute, 10 August 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/
three-kerala-journalists-harassed-online-complain-against-cpim-cyber-team-
130470
221. Press Council of India, press release dated 19.05.2020, http://presscouncil.nic.in/
WriteReadData/Pdf/PRCaseNo.pdf
222. The Free Press Journal, 3 July 2020, https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/
journalist-rana-ayyub-complains-of-death-and-rape-threats-on-social-media-
navi-mumbai-police-take-cognisance
(123)

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INDIA PRESS

First published: July 2021

© Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), 2021

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by

Suggested contributi on: Rs 1,595/-

1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 9

2. The list of journalists and media targeted during 2020 ................................................................... 13

2.1 Women journalists targeted during 2020 ..............................................................................26

3. Crackdown by the State actors ....................................................................................................... 29

3.1. Arrest and detention ..............................................................................................................33

3.2. Registration of FIRs ...............................................................................................................47

3.3. Summons/show cause notices .............................................................................................. 66

3.4. Physical attacks and intimidation by security forces and other

i. Assault by the army ........................................................................................................74

ii. Assault by the police ......................................................................................................75

iii. Assault by other public officials ..................................................................................... 80

3.5. Censorship/denial of advertisement .......................................................................................81

4. Attacks on journalists by the non-State actors ............................................................................... 85

4.1. Killing of journalists ...............................................................................................................85

4.2. Physical attacks or threats by non state actors ....................................................................90

i. Political parties ..............................................................................................................90

ii. Attacks by vigilantes, unidentified persons or mob ........................................................95

iii. Online threats/harassment ........................................................................................... 102

5. Endnotes ....................................................................................................................................... 105

AIADMK – All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

NIA – National Investigation Agency

State/UT wise number of journalists

Map: Courtesy@ https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/India%20-%20Political1.pdf

Out of the total 228 journalists, 114 journalists No of journalists arrested or

Bengal (8 each); Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha (7

A total of 13 journalists were killed, 37 journalists were arrested or detained, 64

Among the 37 journalists arrested, the maximum number were arrested/detained

In 2020, journalists were arrested/detained for a number of frivolous reasons,

Table 1 : List of journalists and media targeted

Sl. Name of State Number of Nature of

1 Zubair Ahmed A&N Islands 1 Arrest

2-11 10 journalists Andhra Pradesh 11 Beaten by

12 Mr Venkata Andhra Pradesh Vandalisation

13 Hofe Dada Arunachal Pradesh 2 Assaulted by

14 Tongam Rina Arunachal Pradesh Online threats

15 Bijendeep Tanti Assam 7 Murder

16 Parag Bhuyan Assam Murder

17 Arun Paul Assam Beaten by

18 Milan Mahanta Assam Assault by

19 Rajiv Sharma Assam Arrest

20 Manjit Mahanta Assam Registration

21 Manash Jyoti Baruah Assam Summoned

22 Priyanshu Kumar Bihar 4 Threatened

23 Rajan Pandey Bihar Shot at by

24 Pawan Choudhary Bihar Arrest

25 Gulshan Kumar Bihar Registration

26 Satender Chauhan Chandigarh 1 Attack by

27 Kamal Shukla Chhattisgarh 7 Attack by

28 Sushil Sharma Chhattisgarh Arrest

29- Three unnamed Chhattisgarh Registration

32 Manish Soni Chhattisgarh Registration

33 Neeraj Shivhare Chhattisgarh Show cause

34 Navin Kumar Delhi 15 Beaten by

36 Deepak Chaurasia Delhi Attack by