Sankalp Neb

Journalist

Utter Pradesh

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on August 14, 2020 regarding fabricated charges against Mr. Sankalp Neb over his social media posts alleging a scam at the Saharanpur District Hospital amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Neb is a journalist with National Voice TV and has continuously been reporting on the health sector.

On August 2, 2020, Dr. BS Sodhi, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Saharanpur, filed a complaint against Mr. Neb under Section 54 of the Epidemic Disease Act-2005 and Section 67 of IT Act-2000 for re-posting a tweet of an officer in a WhatsApp group. The FIR alleged the tweet was shared without the officer’s permission and tarnished the image of the government.   

On August 4, 2020, Mr. Neb wrote to the Deputy Director of the Information and Public Relations Department in Uttar Pradesh regarding his harassment and fabricated charges against him. He sent copies of the letter to other senior officials, drawing attention to attempts to intimidate and silence him for questioning the medical facilities in the district hospital.

On August 12, 2020, Mr. Neb was called to the police station without summon and questioned about his WhatsApp activity. He was forced to sign a paper stating that he would be available for further interrogation.