NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Journalist’s Detention During Protest In Guwahati

GUWAHATI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the detention of a journalist from a digital news portal during a protest in Guwahati. The NHRC issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Assam, requesting a comprehensive report within four weeks.

The incident took place on March 25, 2025, when the journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, a Chief Reporter of 'The Crosscurrent,' was held in custody at the Panbazar police station following his attendance at a dharna outside the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd.

The demonstrators were calling for a high-level inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities within the management of the bank and accountability for the persons concerned. Reports indicate that Mozumder questioned the bank's Managing Director about these irregularities, although no official reason was provided for his detention.

After being held for several hours, Mozumder was granted bail later that night. However, he was re-arrested the following day in connection with a separate case filed by the bank's Managing Director, who accused him of attempting to steal bank documents. A Guwahati court then granted him bail in this second case on March 28, and he was released the following day.

The notice issued by the NHRC points toward concerns about possible violations of the journalist's human rights and calls for an investigation into the events of his detention.

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