A journalist, Neil Bhalinder, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, urging the registration of an FIR against Haryana Police officials.
The journalist alleges that he suffered severe head injuries on February 13 while covering the farmers’ protest within Punjab’s jurisdiction, Live Law reported.
According to Bhalinder, a tear gas shell fired by Haryana Police struck him during the protest at the Shambhu border, a location within Punjab’s territorial jurisdiction that has witnessed numerous instances of violence attributed to Haryana police.
The petitioner emphasized that Haryana police actions have subjected thousands of journalists to physical violence and gunshot wounds at the Shambhu border.
Bhalinder argued that such attacks on journalists violate the freedom of the press guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and questioned the Haryana police’s authority and accountability when affecting individuals within Punjab.
In light of these allegations, the plea seeks the registration of an FIR against the responsible police officials. Additionally, the petitioner requests the court to issue appropriate directives to restrain all police authorities from engaging in unwarranted beatings of journalists and assaulting innocent civilians at the Shambhu border.