Five journalists, Mr. Pawan, Mr. Bappi Ray, Mr. Shivendu Trivedi, Mr. Dharmendra Singh, and Mr. Manish Singh—investigating illegal sand mining in Konta, Chhattisgarh, were harassed, arrested, and allegedly tortured by police on August 9, 2024. The journalists discovered a truck transporting sand without proper documentation, suspecting collusion between the sand mafia and local police. When the journalists followed the truck to the Konta Police Station, the situation escalated. They were warned by SHO Sunil Singh of Sukma District not to interfere as SHO Ajay Sonkar of Konta Police Station, who was present, was his friend.

Later, SHO Sonkar, along with police personnel, shrivelled the journalists at their lodge. The next day, plainclothes officers stopped the journalists, planted packets of Ganja (marijuana) in their vehicle, and arrested them. At Chinturu Police Station, the journalists were beaten with leather belts and threatened with a fake encounter. They were then forced to sign falsified arrest reports. Despite being released on bail on September 3, 2024, the journalists continued to face threats. SHO Ajay Sonkar, implicated in destroying CCTV evidence of the events, was arrested but the journalists still report weekly to the police station.

The incident raises serious concerns about police abuse, fabricated charges, and violations of human rights, particularly the use of torture against the journalists.

Appeal:

We urge the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of the above case and urgently:

• Direct the Director General of Investigation of the NHRC to initiate a transparent, independent inquiry in the illegal arrest and false cases on HRDS Mr. Pawan, Mr. Bappi Ray, Mr. Shivendu Trivedi, Mr. Dharmendra Singh, Mr. Manish Singh for storing ganja and submit the report to NHRC within two weeks.
• Direct the Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh to initiate an independent and urgent inquiry into the torture of the said journalists in the police custody of Chintur police station in Andhra Pradesh.
• Based on the result of the inquiry, direct the Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh and immediately suspend and file a cause of torture against policemen, specially the SHOs of Chintur and Konta police Station and recommend strict and immediate legal action against the perpetrators, including prosecution under the law.