Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh

In a shocking turn of events, Mr. Mintu Dubey, a seasoned freelance journalist associated with New Sadhna News and Ind24, finds himself at the center of a harrowing incident involving police brutality and a false implication in a robbery case. Mr. Dubey, known for his relentless pursuit of truth over 13 years in journalism, recently published a report in Shubh News accusing the Civil Lines police of blackmailing a trader. This report seems to have triggered a series of events leading to his arrest and subsequent ordeal.

On August 8, 2023, around 10:30 pm, a group of 5 to 6 policemen, some in uniform and others not, forcibly took Dubey from a Dhaba on Jhansi Khajuraho Highway. He was then subjected to severe physical abuse, including kicks, punches, slaps, and even having urine poured on his head at the Civil Lines police station, Chhatarpur. Mr. Dubey was accused of involvement in a robbery that took place the same night, where a shop owner, Mr. Ramesh Chand Gupta, was reportedly robbed of Rs 3,100 by two motorcyclists. The journalist's sister claims he was framed in a fake case, and the police misbehaved with him during the arrest. The FIR, registered at 03:54 am on August 8, accused unknown individuals of voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery. Mr. Gupta, the complainant, reported being beaten and robbed while returning home on a bicycle after midnight. Ms. Rekha, Mr. Gupta's wife, stated her husband did not recognize the attackers, and they have not been called to identify the arrested individuals. She mentioned her husband's partial impairment, affecting his ability to comprehend the events during the FIR filing. On August 10, 2023, Mintu Dubey's sister, Ms. Sunita Tiwari, visited him in jail. She reported that he had been physically assaulted by an inspector who threatened him earlier.

HRDA is concerned that Mr. Dubey has faced fabricated charges, illegal arrest and torture in reprisal for his work as a journalist. He was arrested arbitrarily without any arrest memo, without a witness, his family was not informed, he was not offered legal aid. More horrifically he has to undergo violent torture in police custody. These are multiple violations of the DK Basu guidelines of arrest and detention. Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both provide that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Hence HRDA India strongly urges the NHRC to take following actions-

• To direct the Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh to initiate an independent inquiry into the abduction, illegal arrest, and custodial torture of journalist Mr. Mintu Dubey, and submit a report to the NHRC within two weeks.
• To depending on the result of the inquiry, direct the DGP of Madhya Pradesh to take stern action against errant police officials who were responsible for abduction, illegal arrest and torture of Mr. Mintu Dubey and submit a report to the NHRC within two weeks.