**Summary:**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken *suo motu* cognizance of a reported assault of a journalist by two police officers in the Batala area of Gurdaspur district, Punjab. The incident, which reportedly occurred on August 1, 2025, was captured in a video showing the journalist lying motionless after the assault. The media report was released on August 7, 2025. The NHRC has issued a notice to the State Director General of Police (DGP), calling for a detailed report within two weeks. This report must include the status of the investigation into the assault and the health status of the victim journalist. The NHRC's action is based on the observation that the reported incident, if true, raises serious concerns about human rights violations. The police officers were deployed to Batala for law and order duty in connection with Independence Day. The journalist's questions regarding their presence allegedly triggered the assault. This information was released by PIB Delhi on August 18, 2025, at 4:09 PM with Release ID: 2157471.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission: A human rights organization in India that took suo motu cognizance of the assault.
Punjab Police: The police force of the state of Punjab, India, two of whose officers are accused of assaulting a journalist.
Director General of Police, Punjab: The head of the police force in Punjab, India, to whom a notice has been issued to submit a report.
Batala: A town in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India, where the assault on the journalist reportedly took place.
Gurdaspur district, Punjab: A district in Punjab, India, where the Batala area is located.
Independence Day: A national holiday in India, in connection with which the police officers were deployed for law and order duty.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi, which posted the information.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported assault of a journalist by two police officers
in Batala area of Gurdaspur district, Punjab
Issues notice to the State DGP calling for a detailed
report on the matter within two weeks
The report expected to include the status of the
investigation and health of the victim
Posted On: 18 AUG 2025 4:09PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
about a journalist assaulted by two Punjab Police officers in full public in the Batala area of Gurdaspur
district, Punjab. Reportedly, in a video grab of the incident, the victim could be seen lying motionless as the
police personnel walked away after assaulting him.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of
human rights. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the State Director General of Police calling for a detailed
report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the investigation and the
health of the victim journalist.
th st
According to the media report, carried on 7 August, 2025, the incident happened on 1 August, 2025. The
two police officers were deployed to Batala for a law and order duty in connection with the Independence
Day. The journalist reportedly asked some questions in connection with their presence which enraged them
leading to his assault.
***
NSK
(Release ID: 2157471)