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May 28, 2025 – India –
Journalist Bijaya Kumar Pradhan was violently attacked in Kulthipali village, Balangir district, Odisha, while reporting on alleged corruption in a government-funded construction project. The project involved a ₹10 lakh retaining wall along a village road, overseen by contractor Gajendra Dalei. Pradhan, accompanied by his nephew, was documenting the site when Dalei objected to the filming and allegedly instigated the assault.
Pradhan was tied up, beaten, and paraded through the village before being taken to a temple, where he was threatened not to report the incident. His equipment, including mobile phones and a video camera, was destroyed. The attack was captured on video, which later went viral, prompting widespread outrage.
Following the incident, police arrested five individuals, including Dalei and his associates Abinash Dalei, Aditya Jena, and Gumar Naik. A minor was also detained in connection with the assault. Dalei, who had initially absconded, was apprehended near the Balangir-Sonepur border.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the incident, issuing a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) and requesting a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC emphasized that, if true, the incident constitutes a serious violation of human rights.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists investigating corruption in India. India ranks 161st out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, reflecting the challenges journalists encounter in the country.
This incident underscores the risks journalists face when exposing corruption, particularly in remote areas. It also raises concerns about the safety of media personnel and the need for stronger protections to ensure press freedom and accountability.
Reference –
Indian journalist assaulted reporting on construction irregularities in Odisha
