Jharkhand Scribe’s arrest; IFJ concerned over throttling of press

Jharkhand Police arrested Jharkhand-based independent journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh on July 17, accusing him of supporting Maoist groups. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), condemn the arrest and called for the immediate release of the journalist.  

According to the statement of Singh’s wife, Ipsa Shatakshi, at 5:25 am on July 17 Saraikela Kharsawan district police conducted a 9-hour raid at their house, seizing a bed sheet, a nine-page notebook, a tax invoice for a motorcycle, two mobile phones, one hard-disk, the retail invoice of a car and two laptops, among other personal items.

Police charged Rupesh under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sections of the Indian Penal Code. He was arrested in connection with a 2021 case for his alleged links with leaders of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), including Prashant Bose. Police claimed that the journalist was involved in organizing funds for the Maoist members.

Rupesh consistently covered the rights of tribal communities like Adivasis, and other marginalized communities for the news publications Janchowk and Media Vigil. The journalist’s wife informed that the journalist is being targeted for his investigative work surrounding human rights violations.

Expressing concerns over the arrest, the IJU said, “IJU raised its voice against wanton arrests of journalists under UAPA after the Supreme Court’s order to not use the sedition law 124(a) of the IPC. Such action of the government will throttle the free press and help establish an authoritarian regime in the country.”

IFJ added, “Journalists must be able to report independently and critically without fear of detainment, harassment, or intimidation. The IFJ condemns the arrest of journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh and urges the Indian authorities to immediately drop all charges against him.”