In a shocking incident a journalist and a cameraman allegedly faced a brutal assault outside the Regional Transport Office at Nayta Mundla in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Friday around 11:30 am.
Journalist Hemant Sharma and cameraman Raja reportedly suffered injuries while filming the final segment of a three-day investigation into alleged irregularities at the RTO trial spot.
According to report by news24 MP-CG, their journalist Hemant Sharma was beaten and cameraman was taken hostage. In the same report, cameraman Raja confirmed the assault and informed that they were brutally beaten, thrashed and their camera was destroyed.
Police have registered case against seven named and several unnamed individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
No arrests occurred by the time of the report, sparking demands from the Indore Press Club for swift justice. The incident highlights risks to journalists exposing potential corruption, with stakeholders from media, police, and the public calling for accountability.
Journalist-Cameraman Allegedly Assaulted
Hemant Sharma, a news24 MP-CG (Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh) journalist, and his colleague Raja had spent three days probing issues at the RTO office in Nayta Mundla, under Tejaji Nagar police station limits.
Their work focused on activities at the trial spot, a key area for vehicle testing and registration processes prone to scrutiny over malpractices.
On the day of the attack, the pair aimed to capture closing footage to complete their report. This event unfolds amid recurring concerns about transport department operations in Madhya Pradesh, where media exposés often face resistance. The assault underscores tensions between reporters seeking transparency and those opposed to public scrutiny.
Sequence of the Assault
The trouble began when alleged assailants confronted Hemant and Raja, objecting to their filming and resorting to verbal abuse. When Sharma protested, the assailants allegedly summoned reinforcements escalating the situation into a physical clash.
The group allegedly beat both men severely; one attacker allegedly grabbed Sharma’s camera, smashed it, and escaped. Colleagues rushed the injured duo to a hospital for treatment, while the Press Club mobilised quickly.
FIR Filed Against Alleged Attackers
Tejaji Nagar police acted promptly by filing an FIR against the seven named suspects and unknown others under relevant BNS provisions, covering charges likely related to assault, robbery, and obstruction.
Police registered a case against seven named individuals, including “Narendra Chauhan, Ankit, Vinod, Chintaman, Nitin, Shankar Prajapat, Pawan, and Gajendr,” as per news24, plus several unidentified persons, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Indore Press Club Demands Justice
Indore Press Club president Deepak Kardam led office-bearers to the station, pressing for rigorous action and protection for media professionals. Officials confirmed the case registration but noted no arrests as of the latest updates.
This response reflects standard procedures, yet the lack of immediate detentions has fuelled criticism from journalist unions about delays in high-profile attacks on the press. Broader angles include potential links to RTO corruption claims, though investigations continue without official statements tying the two directly.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian condemns this violent attack on journalists in the strongest terms, viewing it as a direct threat to press freedom and democratic values. Such incidents erode trust in institutions and silence voices vital for exposing wrongdoing, urging society to prioritise kindness, empathy, and peaceful resolutions over aggression.
We advocate for stronger safeguards, thorough probes, and dialogue to foster harmony and coexistence while driving positive change.
