New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted two months' protection to a Madhya Pradesh's journalist who alleged assault by the Superintendent of Police of Bhind.
Delhi High Court's Justice Ravinder Dudeja after hearing the petition filed on behalf of Amarkant Singh Chouhan, a resident of Madhya Pradesh and Bhind Bureau Chief of Swaraj Express News channel, directed the Delhi Police to give protection to him for two months.
The Court directed the journalist to furnish the details of the police station where he is staying in Delhi and also said that his number be shared with the beat officer and Station House Officer.
The court said, "... they can approach the high court concerned (for availing further legal remedies)".
Pritam Singh Rajawat, who runs a YouTube channel, Shashikant Goyal who runs a news portal, and Amarkant Singh Chouhan, Bhind Bureau Chief of Swaraj Express News channel alleged in a complaint submitted to the District Collector that they were assaulted on May 1 inside the office of the Superintendent of Police.
Counsel for Chouhan submitted before the court that he came to Delhi fleeing violence by the police in Bhind and is unable to return to Madhya Pradesh due to threat to his life and personal liberty.
It is further submitted that besides Chouhan more than half a dozen other scribes were also present in the Superintendent of Police Asit Yadav's chamber and all had been stripped down to their undergarments before being physically assaulted.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted that SP Asit Yadav had invited the petitioner to have tea with him in his chamber and physically assaulted him on May 1 as he was displeased with his reporting about the illegal sand mining activities in the Chambal River.
The counsel further submitted that if the petitioner returns to his hometown in Bhind there is threat to his and his family's life.
He requested to court to pass a protection order for his right to life and personal liberty and also to protect the freedom of speech and expression and the right to carry out profession defined under Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India.
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