NHRC Confronts Gujarat Authorities Over Alleged Brutal Torture of Rajkot Journalist

April 8, 2026 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has formally intervened following a harrowing media report detailing the unlawful detention and systematic torture of an online journalist by the Rajkot Crime Branch police in Gujarat. According to the report published on March 29, 2026, the journalist was apprehended on March 22 and subjected to extreme physical degradation, including being stripped naked and suspended upside down. This custodial violence resulted in severe physical injuries that required his admission to the Rajkot Civil Hospital the following day.

Beyond the physical assault, the allegations suggest a disturbing abuse of power characterized by intimidation and coercion. The police reportedly attempted to block the victim’s medical treatment by threatening hospital staff and further traumatized the journalist by vowing to register fabricated criminal charges against him and demolish his residence.

Recognizing that these actions—if verified—represent a profound violation of fundamental human rights and a direct threat to the safety of media practitioners, the NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of the case. The Commission has issued an urgent notice to the Director General of Police, Gujarat, demanding a comprehensive report within two weeks. This mandate requires transparency regarding the current state of the victim’s health and the formal status of the investigation into the conduct of the Rajkot Crime Branch.