NHRC’s Notice to Assam Police
Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by Shianjany Pradhan
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged arbitrary detention of The Cross Current journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder by the Assam Police.
It has issued a notice to the state’s Director General of Police, seeking a report within four weeks.
Mozumder was detained on March 25 after questioning the managing director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank over alleged financial irregularities.
Though no reason was initially cited, a complaint filed by the bank’s official led to multiple charges, including those under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Press Club of India and other journalist bodies strongly criticized the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma denied a journalist’s arrest, asserting that Mozumder was not recognized as a journalist under state rules and labeling him a businessman affiliated with a politically promoted portal.
