NHRC Closes Enquiry Against Journalist Omar Rashid as Victim Refuses to Reveal Identity

New Delhi- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has closed its case against journalist Omar Rashid, citing the Delhi Police report that found no grounds for further action after the alleged victim declined to disclose her identity or pursue the matter.

The NHRC, in its final order, stated that no further intervention was required. The Commission had initially taken up the matter following anonymous social media allegations of serious offences, including rape and "force-feeding beef," levelled against Rashid.

The case originated in May 2025 when Tanmay N., convenor of the Sahyadri Rights Forum, approached the NHRC seeking an investigation based on the unverified social media posts. On May 23, 2025, an NHRC bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo registered the case, naming both Omar Rashid and the news portal The Wire (where he was then employed), and directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to probe the allegations.

In its report submitted on October 6, 2025, the Delhi Police informed the NHRC that the complainant (the alleged victim) had refused to share her identity and address, and showed no interest in proceeding with the case. Consequently, the police concluded that no further action was warranted.

Omar Rashid subsequently moved the Delhi High Court for a speedy resolution of the NHRC proceedings. On November 7, 2025, the High Court directed the Commission to dispose of the matter within six weeks.

The NHRC took up the case again on January 21, 2026, providing the complainant Tanmay N. an opportunity to respond to the Delhi Police report and sharing a copy with Rashid as well. However, by its proceedings on March 13, the Commission noted that no response had been received from the complainant.

“In view of the above facts and circumstances, the Commission is of the opinion that no further intervention is warranted in the matter. The case is closed,” the NHRC said in its order.

The closure comes after an inquiry process that lasted over 300 days.

In a detailed social media post on May 7, journalist Omar Rashid broke his silence on the year-long ordeal following the National Human Rights Commission’s closure of the case against him. He described the May 2025 anonymous social media campaign as a “fake, malicious, and communally provocative” hate operation orchestrated through fabricated allegations of rape and “force-feeding beef,” designed to inflame communal tensions by invoking tropes of love jihad, beef, and Kashmir.

Rashid claimed that the entire narrative was fictional, including a non-existent “young Hindu woman” victim, and revealed that the Delhi Police Action Taken Report identified the source as a 34-year-old practicing advocate and political activist who refused to cooperate, threatened the investigating officer, denied filing any complaint, and evaded verification.

He recounted the severe personal trauma inflicted on him and his family, including death threats, communal abuse, attempts to desecrate his late mother’s memory, and financial harassment, while emphasizing his consistent cooperation with The Wire’s internal probe, the Delhi Police, and the NHRC proceedings. Rashid expressed gratitude to the Delhi Police for providing security and stated that he now intends to pursue legal accountability against the perpetrators, who he said misused their position as advocates to weaponize disinformation and obstruct justice.

The Mooknayak reached out to NHRC member Priyank Kanungo, who led the bench that took cognizance of the case, to seek more details and comments on the closure. However, his phone remained unavailable. The report will be updated if and when he responds.

The Mooknayak also contacted Tanmay N., convenor of the Sahyadri Rights Forum, to understand his reasons for approaching the NHRC and his views on the police report and the final closure of the case. The response from him is awaited.