On 08-04-2026, the National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of the illegal detention and torture of a journalist by the Rajkot Crime Branch, Gujarat.

The said cognizance was based on a media report stating that on 22-03-2026, the said journalist, operating an online media outlet, was apprehended unlawfully by the Rajkot Crime Branch. The report mentioned that apart from threatening him by registration of false criminal cases against him, the police had stripped him naked, suspended him upside down, and subjected him to physical torture, which had resulted in serious injuries. Additionally, the police had also tried to threaten the Rajkot Civil Hospital staff against admitting the journalist for treatment.

NHRC observed that if the allegations in the media report were true, it raised a serious concern of human rights violation and hence, issued notice to the Director General of Police, Gujarat, seeking a detailed report within two weeks, including the status of the investigation as well as the journalist’s health.