Press Freedom Crisis: The Sootr Editors Expose Rajasthan Police's Unlawful 27-Hour Custody Amid Press Outrage

Bhopal – In a brazen display of what two prominent journalists describe as an assault on press freedom, Rajasthan Police detained Anand Pandey, Editor-in-Chief of digital news platform The Sootr , and Harish Divekar, its Managing Editor, without prior notice or legal formalities. The duo, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, was abruptly picked up from separate locations in the state on October 17, mere three days before Diwali and transported to Jaipur for interrogation over a series of investigative reports critical of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari.

In an emotional live video on their YouTube channel, released on October 20, shortly after their return, Pandey and Divekar detailed a harrowing 27-hour ordeal marked by psychological torment, denial of family contact, and what they allege is a politically motivated vendetta to silence independent journalism.

The incident has ignited widespread outrage across India's media fraternity, with press clubs, opposition leaders, and civil society condemning the Rajasthan government's actions as an "attack on democracy." The journalists, both based in Bhopal, emphasized that their reports were grounded in documented evidence and aimed at exposing alleged irregularities in Diya Kumari's tenure as Finance Minister. Far from personal animosity, they framed the series- "Diya Tale Andhera" (Darkness Under Diya), as a commitment to in-depth, issue-based journalism, a hallmark of The Sootr's ethos since its launch in July 2021. "We fear only God," Pandey reiterated multiple times in the video, emphasising their tagline and resolve to continue such reporting despite threats

The Genesis of the Exposé: Building a Brand Through Bold Journalism

The Sootr, a Bhopal-headquartered digital media outlet, has carved a niche for itself with fearless, evidence-backed stories across platforms like YouTube and its website. Expanding into Rajasthan earlier this year, the team faced the familiar challenge of establishing credibility in a crowded media landscape. Discussions with local and Delhi-based journalist contacts highlighted Diya Kumari's alleged mismanagement in key portfolios, prompting The Sootr to launch its investigative series.

"We collected documents, land records, income tax notices, education-related papers, and shared drafts with her office for response," Pandey explained in the video. Over six to seven reports, they emailed summaries to Diya Kumari's team, inviting rebuttals, but received none. Sources described an "aura of intimidation" around the Deputy CM, with established media houses reluctant to touch the stories. "Everyone wanted it exposed, but no one dared," Divekar added, noting that rival outlets later twisted the narrative to portray the series as a "personal vendetta" against a "beautiful and successful woman."

The reports delved into public interest issues like financial irregularities and policy lapses, eschewing "below-the-belt" personal attacks despite receiving salacious tips. This ethical stance, the journalists said, was non-negotiable. "Our duty is to expose wrongs with proof, not sling mud," Pandey stated. The series gained traction, amplifying public discourse ahead of elections, but also drawing ire from Diya Kumari's camp.

A Coordinated 'Abduction': No Notice, No Reason, No Family Contact

The detentions unfolded like scenes from a thriller, with the journalists alleging meticulous reconnaissance by plainclothes officers. Pandey, en route to his office from Bavadia Kalan in Bhopal around 12:30-1:00 PM on October 17, encountered a traffic jam near Besh Mawa. Opting for a U-turn onto Adhishthan Road, he was cut off by a black SUV. Seven to eight civilians in plain clothes swarmed his vehicle. "I'm Hawa Singh from Rajasthan Police. Get out immediately; we need to question you," one officer demanded, forcing Pandey into their car.

Inside, Pandey spotted an individual claiming to be Diya Kumari's OSD (Officer on Special Duty), confirming his suspicions: this was retaliation for the series. No arrest warrant was shown, no reason provided beyond vague "questioning." His phone and car keys were confiscated, and pleas to inform his family fell on deaf ears. "I just wanted to tell them not to worry," Pandey recounted, his voice breaking. "But they wouldn't even let me make a call."

Divekar's ordeal, captured partially on hotel CCTV footage, was equally dramatic. That morning, the family had visited Ujjain for darshan, returning around 1:30-2:00 PM for lunch. As Divekar stepped out for the washroom at the hotel restaurant, leaving his wife and two children (studying abroad and visiting for the festival) three plainclothesmen approached. "Sir, your car's blocking ours; please move it," they said innocently. Trusting them, Divekar descended to the parking lot, only to spot Rajasthan-numbered vehicles and officers signaling each other.

Sensing a trap, he resisted: "This is unethical! We're journalists, not criminals." Overpowered like "a terrorist," as he described, Divekar was bundled into a car, his phone snatched, and sped off at 120-140 km/h toward Rajasthan. "My kids were waiting for lunch; I begged them to inform my family or leave my car keys so they could get home," he said. Denied again, the family waited anxiously, unaware of his fate. En route, the officers invoked a "task from above," admitting no personal grudge but insisting on compliance.

Both men were ferried to Jaipur overnight, arriving around midnight. Handed over to Karni Vihar Police Station in West Jaipur, they endured relentless interrogation without food, water, or rest. A medical exam followed the next day, but uncertainty loomed: shuttled between the station and magistrate's court, they were told arrest was imminent. "We were treated like hardened criminals," Pandey said, highlighting the psychological toll of 27-28 hours in limbo.

27 Hours of Torment: Psychological Warfare and Media Pressure

Contact with the outside world was severed until October 19 afternoon, when The Sootr colleagues reached Jaipur. Allowed a mere 40-second call each, Pandey and Divekar finally reassured their wives: "Don't worry; everything's fine." By evening, amid mounting media outcry and interventions from press bodies, politicians, and supporters nationwide, they were released on "station bail", instructed to return for further questioning in five days.

The journalists attributed their release to an unprecedented wave of solidarity. "From journalist fraternities and advocates to youth, well-wishers, and even politicians we'd critiqued fairly, everyone stood with us," Pandey said, tearing up. "This moral ammunition will fuel our long fight." Youth support, in particular, drew salutes: "They reminded us why we do this, for society's greater good."

Back in Bhopal by October 20, the duo went live on The Sootr's channel, refusing to delay despite ongoing legal proceedings. "We debated waiting post-Diwali, but your support compelled us to express gratitude first," Divekar noted. They debunked circulating rumors, fueled by the hotel CCTV of a "money deal" gone wrong, clarifying it was a family outing. "No extortion; just lunch with my kids," Divekar affirmed.

Rajasthan Police's Version: Extortion Allegations and a Controversial Press Note

Contrasting the journalists' account, Rajasthan Police portrayed the detentions as a crackdown on an "extortion racket." An FIR was filed on September 29, at Karni Vihar station by Narendra Kumar Rathore, accusing Pandey, Divekar, and others (including Rajasthan bureau chief Dinesh Jain) of defamation under IPC Sections 499/500 and extortion under 384. No notice was served to the accused prior to the pickups, a procedural lapse the journalists decried as unlawful.

In a press release issued late on October 17 by the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, timestamped around 11:52 PM, it stated: "For investigation purposes, Anand Pandey and others were brought to Jaipur. The investigation revealed that the accused had made an illegal demand of Rs 5 crore to remove false news from The Sootr channel and webpage, and to prevent future broadcasts of false news." The note emphasized no formal arrest occurred, framing the action as routine questioning under CrPC provisions.

However, media outlets initially reported "arrests," amplifying confusion and what the journalists called a smear campaign timed for Diwali to maximize humiliation. While no official tweet from Rajasthan Police directly addressed the incident, the press release's claims echoed in social media discourse, with posts amplifying the extortion angle. The Sootr team vowed legal action against "big newspapers" peddling unverified narratives, signaling impending defamation suits.

Congress leaders slammed the detention as "tanashi" (dictatorship), drawing parallels to past high court interventions in similar cases. Indore Press Club demanded Madhya Pradesh government intervention, while Delhi and Rajasthan journalist bodies rallied with statements and protests.

Pandey and Divekar, both veterans with stints at major outlets, hailed their team's maturity during the crisis. "In 4.5 years, we've built a culture of integrity, no legacy, no big money backing us," Pandey said. They pledged to persist: "FIRs, jail, threats- none will stop us. Send us evidence on Diya Kumari or anyone else; we'll run it with facts, not malice."