NHRC Takes Action After Assault on Journalist in Bolangir: What Happened?

NHRC Responds to Assault on Journalist

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken immediate action regarding the violent attack on journalist Bijay Pradhan in Bolangir. On Friday, the NHRC issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP), demanding a comprehensive report within a fortnight.

On May 25, 2025, Pradhan was allegedly assaulted by a group while he was investigating claims of corruption at a local construction site in Kulthipali village. Reports indicate that he was bound and attacked, with the assailants parading him through the village while destroying his mobile devices and other journalistic tools. They also threatened him against reporting the incident or the corruption he was investigating. A video that circulated widely on social media depicted the brutal assault, which lasted nearly two hours and resulted in a ruptured eardrum. Currently, Pradhan is receiving medical care at Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir.

In response to an official complaint, authorities have arrested five individuals, including the main suspect. They are facing various charges such as assault, causing bodily harm, theft, misappropriation, and property damage. The NHRC has classified this incident as a grave infringement of human rights, particularly concerning press freedom and individual safety.