Guwahati: Journalist granted bail amid allegations of police overreach

Staff reporter

Guwahati: Senior journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar has been granted bail in one of the cases filed against him, raising concerns about potential police overreach and the use of legal provisions to suppress press freedom. Mazumdar was granted bail on Wednesday by Chief Judicial Magistrate Kamrup (M) in Case No. 110/25, registered under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Amendment 2015). The case was filed at Panbazar Police Station based on an FIR lodged by Sishupal Boro, a security guard at The Assam Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd.

Mazumdar was arrested on the night of March 25 after questioning the bank’s Managing Director, Dambaru Saikia, while a protest against alleged corruption in the institution was underway. During the demonstration, he went to the MD’s office to seek answers regarding the allegations. Following his arrest, journalists staged demonstrations outside the Guwahati Press Club, demanding his immediate release and condemning the police’s actions. Tensions escalated when a confrontation broke out between the police and protestors.

Mazumdar’s arrest has triggered widespread outrage, culminating in a state-wide protest today. Journalist organizations and civil society groups have expressed strong discontent, calling the incident a serious threat to press freedom and demanding accountability from the authorities.

While talking to media, Dambaru Saikia stated, “The journalist initially questioned me regarding corruption allegations. Later, I was informed that he had made derogatory remarks against a particular caste, which led to a complaint. Another case was filed due to the disruption caused within the bank.”

AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjee, on social media condemned the arrest of journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar and expressed concern over the police’s treatment of journalists. “This is a blatant disregard for the fourth pillar of democracy. Such actions against journalists are condemnable,” he stated.

AASU president Utpal Sarma also criticized the police’s handling of the situation, calling their actions excessively aggressive. “This is an unprecedented incident—something that has never happened before. The treatment of journalists in this manner is deeply concerning,” he remarked.

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