Amarkant Singh Chouhan v. State Of NCT Of Delhi & ORS.

$~49 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 1821/2025 & CRL.M.A. 17076/2025 AMARKANT SINGH CHOUHAN .....Petitioner Through:

Ms. Warisha Farasat, Ms. Tamanna Pankaj, Mr. Anirudh Ramanathan, Ms. Priya Vats & Ms. Mreganka Kukreja, Advs. along with petitioner in person.

versus STATE NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC for the State.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA

O R D E R

% 28.05.2025 1.

This is a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for issuing directions for the protection of the petitioner from excesses and threats to life meted out at the hands of the Madhya Pradesh Police at Bhind. 2.

Petitioner is a journalist and is stated to be the Bhind Bureau Chief of Swaraj Express News Channel.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner had recently been reporting on illegal sand mining activities in the Chambal River, which are being carried out by sand mafia in connivance with the local police. Displeased with the same, on 01.05.2025, SP Asit Yadav invited the petitioner to have tea with him in his chamber where he along with journalist The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal and half a dozen other journalists, were stripped down to their undergarments and physically assaulted. 4.

It is further submitted that on 04.05.2025, the petitioner and Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal were on their way from Gwalior to Delhi to meet a Member of Parliament to apprise him of their plight. While they were waiting to catch a train to Delhi, they were picked up by one Saurabh Sharma, another journalist, on the pretext of travelling to Delhi by road. However, instead of taking them to Delhi, they were taken to a nearby dhaba where some police officials were waiting. These officials then took them to SP Asit Yadav's bungalow in an attempt to work out a compromise. They were asked not to pursue the matter of them being assaulted by Bhind police officials on 01.05.2025.

5.

On 05.05.2025, petitioner and Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal were forced to record a video statement in the presence of the police officials, stating that all matters between them and the police have been resolved. Subsequently, the said video was distributed by the Bhind police through WhatsApp with the intention of destroying the credibility of the petitioner and Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal. 6.

Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that petitioner and Shashikant Jatav @ Shashikant Goyal came to Delhi on 19.05.2025 and lodged a complaint with Press Council of India and the National Human Rights Commission. The State Press Club, Madhya Pradesh has already issued a statement on 03.05.2025 demanding action against the police officials and the Press Club of India has also issued a detailed statement dated 25.05.2025, condemning the action of Madhya Pradesh police and has sought action against the police officers.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

7.

It is submitted that the petitioner is apprehending threat to his life and that of his family. The limited prayer pressed before the Court is for providing security to the petitioner.

8.

State is under constitutional obligation to provide protection to its citizens and this Court being a constitutional Court is also expected to further the constitutional rights of the petitioner. 9.

Since petitioner is apprehending threat to his life while being in Delhi, in view of the above, the Court directs the State to provide protection to the petitioner and ensure that no harm befalls him. 10.

The petitioner has not furnished his local address in Delhi. The petitioner is therefore directed to communicate his address in a sealed envelope to the office of the Additional Standing Counsel for the State, who shall forward the same to the concerned DCP/SHO of the area where the petitioner is residing. The Police is directed not to disclose this address to anybody. The petitioner shall be provided the telephone number of the SHO and the Beat Constable of the area within whose territorial jurisdiction the petitioner is residing. As and when any message or call is received on the said number from the petitioner, it shall be responded to immediately. Additionally, the Beat Constable/Division Officer of the area shall visit the residence of the petitioner randomly.

The Beat Constable shall call upon the petitioner before 6:00 PM everyday for the next two months, to ensure that petitioner remains unharmed. It is further directed that safety and security of the petitioner shall be assessed by the SHO on a weekly basis, with due endorsement of the same in Roznamcha at least for a month. The Beat Constable shall also record entries in his beat book. 11.

Since no other prayer is pressed, no further orders are required to be The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

passed.

12.

The petition along pending application(s), stands disposed of accordingly.

13.

Copy of this order be given dasti to counsels for the parties, under the signatures of the Court Master.

RAVINDER DUDEJA, J MAY 28, 2025/ib The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.