The Supreme Court, on June 7, 2025, granted a two‑week interim stay on the arrest of two Madhya Pradesh journalists—Shashikant Jatav and Amarkant Singh Chouhan—in FIRs lodged by the MP police over their reporting on the Chambal sand mafia. The bench, comprising Justices P.K. Mishra and Manmohan, refused to entertain their petition under Article 32 but directed them to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court within two weeks. Until then, the journalists are shielded from arrest.

The petitioners alleged that they were physically assaulted, kidnapped, subjected to casteist slurs, and subjected to coercive action by the Bhind SP and police officials. The duo, forced to flee Bhind, claimed the FIRs are vindictive and fabricated. While Chouhan has some protection from the Delhi High Court, Jatav’s plea in Delhi HC remains pending.

The Supreme Court also noted that over 10 public complaints were cited by the State alleging extortion, which the journalists’ counsel termed as “not true”, and emphasized that these matters are best addressed by the High Court.

sources