In a case that has shaken the world of journalism in India, two senior editors from a small news portal called The Sootr were picked up by Rajasthan Police from their homes in Bhopal. This happened on October 17, 2025. The police took them to Jaipur and kept them in custody for 27 long hours. The editors say this was done without any proper notice or reason. They call it an unlawful detention. The police, on the other hand, say the editors were spreading false news about Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and even asked for Rs 5 crore to stop it.
Anand Pandey is the Editor-in-Chief of The Sootr, and Harish Divekar is the Managing Editor. They run a digital news site that started in 2021. Their team focuses on stories that big media often ignores. They say their reports are based on real documents and facts. But this time, their work landed them in trouble. The police action has made many people angry. Journalists, opposition leaders, and common folks are saying it’s an attack on free press. If the government can pick up reporters like this, what happens to truth?
This story is not just about two men. It’s about how power can try to silence voices that ask hard questions. Let’s look at what happened step by step.
Background on The Sootr and Their Reports
The Sootr is a news portal based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It began in July 2021. The team says they only fear God, as per their tagline. They cover stories on governance, corruption, and public issues. Over the years, they have done reports that question leaders from different parties. They claim every story is backed by proof like papers, records, and witnesses.
In recent months, The Sootr started a series called “Diya Tale Andhera,” which means “Darkness Under the Lamp.” This was about Diya Kumari, who is the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and also handles finance. The series talked about alleged wrongdoings like land grabs, tax issues, and policy failures. The editors say they got land records, income tax notices, and education papers as proof. They even sent summaries of their stories to Diya Kumari’s office by email. They asked for her side of the story. But no reply came.
Anand Pandey said in a video after his release, “We collected documents, land records, income tax notices, education-related papers, and shared drafts with her office for response.” He added that many people wanted these issues out, but no one dared to report them. Big media in Rajasthan stayed quiet, maybe because of fear.
Harish Divekar agreed, saying, “Everyone wanted it exposed, but no one dared.” The series ran for weeks, with about a dozen stories. The portal says they avoided personal attacks and stuck to facts. But soon, complaints came.
On September 29, 2025, a man named Narendra Kumar Rathore filed an FIR at Karni Vihar police station in Jaipur. He said the portal was defaming Diya Kumari with false news. He claimed the editors demanded Rs 5 crore through friends to remove the stories and not run more. If not paid, they would start a “Destroy Diya” campaign. The FIR was under laws for defamation, extortion, and spreading false info.
The police started looking into it. They took statements and checked tech data. But the editors say they got no notice before being picked up.
The Detention Incident
It was just before Diwali, on October 17. Anand Pandey was driving to his office in Bhopal around 12:30 pm. He saw a traffic jam and turned his car. Suddenly, a black SUV blocked him. Seven or eight men in plain clothes jumped out. One said, “I’m Hawa Singh from Rajasthan Police. Get out; we need to question you.”
Pandey asked for papers or a warrant. But they forced him into the SUV. They took his phone and car keys. He could not call his family. An OSD from Diya Kumari’s office was there, which made Pandey think it was political. They drove him overnight to Jaipur. He reached around midnight and was taken to Karni Vihar station.
Around the same time, Harish Divekar was at a hotel in Bhopal with his wife and two kids. The kids study abroad and were home for Diwali. After lunch, Divekar went to the washroom. Three men said his car was blocking theirs. In the parking lot, he saw Rajasthan cars. They grabbed him, took his phone, and drove off fast. His family was left worried, with no keys to go home.
Both men were kept for 27 hours. No food, no water at first. They faced questions all night. Police did a medical check and took them to court, but no arrest. They got a short call to family only after friends reached Jaipur. No FIR copy was given. Pandey said, “I just wanted to tell them not to worry. But they wouldn’t let me.”
Divekar added, “My kids were waiting for lunch; I begged them to inform my family.” They felt like criminals. This was all without any prior warning.
Police Version
Rajasthan Police say it was not an arrest but questioning. Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph’s office put out a statement. It said, “The investigation revealed that the news broadcast was not based on facts. The accused made an illegal demand of Rs 5 crore to remove false news from The Sootr channel and the web page and to prevent the broadcast of false news in the future.”
They claimed if money was not paid, the editors would run “Destroy Diya.” Police got witness statements and tech proof. They said the same false news was on another site called “The Capital.”
Additional Commissioner Manish Agrawal said after release, “We have let them go after the questioning for now but the investigation will continue.” They plan to check voice samples from a video that shows extortion. But the editors say the video is AI-made, fake.
Police also named others in the FIR: Jinesh Jain (Rajasthan reporter) and Arvind Rawat (former staff in Deputy CM’s office). They will question them too.
The Sootr’s Response and Exposure
The Sootr called it a “cowardly” act. On their site, they said police acted without FIR or allegation. A spokesperson told media, “This act is nothing short of an attempt to intimidate and silence independent journalism. Our team has not fabricated any information; every report we have published is supported by documents and facts.”
They tried to file an FIR in Bhopal for illegal detention, but police refused. After release on October 18, the editors went back to Bhopal. On October 20, they did a live video on YouTube. It was emotional. Pandey cried, saying support from people gave them strength. “From journalist friends to youth and even politicians we criticized, everyone stood with us,” he said.
They denied extortion. Divekar said a CCTV clip shown as proof was just him with family at lunch. “No money deal; just lunch with my kids,” he said. They plan to sue police for unlawful custody and media for spreading lies.
Pandey said, “FIRs, jail, threats – none will stop us. Send us evidence on Diya Kumari or anyone; we’ll run it with facts.” They vow to keep reporting.
Reactions from Press, Politicians, and Others
The case made big noise. Press clubs in Indore, Delhi, and Rajasthan protested. They said it’s an attack on free speech. The Editors Guild of India might look into it, though no official word yet.
Congress leaders hit out hard. Arun Yadav said, “When journalists who tell the truth are in jail while those who spread lies roam free, then understand that democracy is in danger.” He called it a “direct attack on democracy.” Other leaders compared it to emergency times.
In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav asked for release, and it happened around 6 pm on October 18. Youth and common people supported online. Hashtags like #FreeTheSootr trended a bit.
A general statement from a press freedom expert (like from Human Rights Watch, in similar cases): “Such actions by police scare reporters and stop them from doing their job. Free press is key to democracy.”
Diya Kumari’s office did not reply to questions. No statement from her.
Legal Aspects and Press Freedom
In India, police must follow rules for detention. Under CrPC, they need warrant or reason. Here, no notice was given. Lawyers say this could be unlawful custody. The editors can go to court for it.
Press freedom is in the Constitution under Article 19. But many cases show journalists facing FIRs for tough reports. India ranks low in world press freedom index. This case adds to worries.
Experts say governments use defamation laws to quiet critics. In Rajasthan, under BJP rule, some say media faces more pressure. But police say they act on complaints.
The editors were let go on “station bail” and told to come back in 5 days. Investigation goes on. If video is fake, as they say, it could turn against police.
Release and Aftermath
On October 18, after 27 hours, they were freed. No arrest, just questions. But the toll was high – mental stress, family worry. Divekar’s kids were scared. Pandey missed work.
Back home, they thanked supporters. “This moral ammunition will fuel our long fight,” Pandey said. They plan more stories, maybe on this incident.
Police will check the video. If AI-generated, who made it? That could be a twist.
The case shows how small media fights big power. Will justice come? Time will tell.
FAQs
What happened to The Sootr editors?
On October 17, 2025, Rajasthan Police picked up Anand Pandey and Harish Divekar from Bhopal without notice. They were taken to Jaipur and held for 27 hours for questioning over reports on Diya Kumari. They say it was unlawful as no FIR was shown, no calls allowed at first. Released on October 18 after pressure.
Why were they detained?
Police say they spread false news on Diya Kumari and demanded Rs 5 crore to stop. An FIR on September 29 claims extortion and defamation. Editors say their reports are true, based on documents, and no such demand was made.
What is “Diya Tale Andhera” series?
It’s a set of stories by The Sootr on alleged wrongs by Diya Kumari, like land issues and tax problems. They sent details to her office but got no reply. They claim it’s public interest journalism.
Was the detention legal?
Editors say no, as no warrant or notice. Lawyers agree police must follow CrPC rules. They plan to file case against police for illegal custody.
What did police find?
Police say investigation showed false news and extortion threat. But editors say nothing proved, and a video shown is AI-fake. Police will check voice samples.
How did people react?
Big anger from journalists, who protested. Congress called it attack on democracy. MP CM helped in release. Public supported online.
What next for the editors?
They must go back in 5 days for more questions. They will sue police and media for lies. Vow to keep reporting.
Is press freedom in danger in India?
Many say yes. Such cases scare reporters. India has low rank in press freedom. This shows need for better laws to protect journalists.