India: Two journalists attacked while investigating government corruption

Two journalists were assaulted by a group of attackers on November 28 while investigating a corruption case at a the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and affiliate the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) condemn the ongoing pattern of harassment of journalists in the state and the failure by authorities to protect journalists.

News24 journalists Hemant Sharma and cameraman Raja Khan were conducting the final portion of a three-day investigation into an ongoing corruption case at the RTO regarding driver license and vehicle registration issuing malpractice when the attack occurred. The reporters were initially verbally abusedby one individual as they began filming inside the RTO office in the village of Nayta Mundla, but were later confronted by a group of assailants allegedly linked as "middlemen" to the RTO.

The journalists were allegedly held hostage, beaten and had camera equipment vandalised. Both sustained injuries in the attack and were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Police openedan official First Incident Report (FIR) from their statements, according to the Indore Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rajesh Dandotiya. Authorities reported also that the group of assailants had been identified.

Following the incident, Indore Press Club president, Deepak Kardam, and others protestedoutside the Tejaji Nagar Police Station demanding action against the accused parties.

The IJU said despite clear video evidence of the assailants and a FIR for attempting to commit culpable homicide and destruction of property two days after the incident, arrests were yet to be made. The union said the law enforcement's inefficiency to arrest the accused assailants was "a troubling signal" for the media community that could further embolden corrupt elements in the region.

Journalists attempting to report against corruption in the public interest in India are frequently targetsof violence, doxxing and in extreme cases, enforced disappearances.

The IJU said: "The recurring pattern of violence against journalists in Madhya Pradesh reflects a systemic failure to ensure their safety.Corruption thrives where scrutiny is punished rather than encouraged. The government must guarantee that those who expose wrongdoing are protected, not attacked."

The IFJ said:"Local authorities must act swiftly to bring these perpetrators of violence against the News24 journalists to justice and ensure impunity does not continue to run rife in Madhya Pradesh."