Rupesh Kumar Singh is a journalist from Jharkhand who is known for his reporting on Human rights violation and persecution of tribal people.[1][2] In 2021 during the Pegasus Project revelations in India his phone number (including those of his two family members[3]) were found in the list of potential targets for state surveillance by Pegasus (spyware).[4] Rupesh claimed that the Union government of India had been targeting him for his reporting on violence by the security forces against the tribal people.[3] He along with four other journalists targeted by the spyware moved the Supreme Court of India, seeking a mechanism for judicial oversight and punishments for the officials involved.[5][6]
Rupesh Kumar Singh | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Organization | Independent |
| Known for | reporting of persecution of tribal people |
| Spouse | Ipsa Shatakshi |
Personal life
editRupesh is married to Ipsa Shatakshi who is a social activist working on tribal issues.[1] She and her sister were also targeted by the Pegasus spyware.[5][3]
Pegasus spyware
editRupesh reported on the displacement of tribals, suppression of tribal rights and the arrest of the tribals on false charges after branding them Maoists. He believed his reporting made him the target of surveillance by Pegasus software and also led to his arrest by the Bihar Police in June 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Rupesh alleged that the security forces had tried to coax him to stop reporting, after failing to convince him they planted gelatin sticks and detonators in his car in his presence and then arrested him for the same.[3] Bihar police failed to file a chargesheet in his case even after the completion of stipulated 180 days since the filing of the complaint. He spent six months in jail and was released on bail in December 2019 from the Gaya jail since no chargesheet was filed.[3]
Arresting
editOn 17 July 2022, Singh was arrested by Jharkhand Police from his residence in Ramgarh district.[7][8] His laptop phones among other belongings were also seized.[9][10] His wife Shatakshi said that Singh was being targeted as he had recently published reports on morbidity in villages due to industrial pollutants.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Team, N. L. (18 July 2022). "Jharkhand reporter in Pegasus list arrested, family and journalists say targeted for his work". Newslaundry. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ Lalwani, Vijayta (20 July 2021). "'Journalism is not a bed of roses': Meet the Jharkhand reporter featured in leaked Pegasus database". Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Freelance journalist on potential snoop list to move Supreme Court". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "'Not Surprised But Offended at Invasion of Privacy': Jharkhand Journalist on Pegasus List". The Wire. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ a b Roy, Debayan (2 August 2021). "Five journalists in Pegasus snooping list move Supreme Court; seek Judicial Oversight Mechanism to deal with complaints, punish govt officials". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "Pegasus: 29 Mobiles Under Technical Panel's Scanner, SC Asks for Report by June 20". The Wire. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "Jharkhand Police Arrests Independent Journalist Under Same FIR as Top Maoist Leader". The Wire. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "Jharkhand cops arrest freelance journalist for Maoist links". The Indian Express. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "UAPA और PSA जैसे कड़े कानूनों के तहत देश की जेलों में बंद स्वतंत्र पत्रकार!". gaonsavera.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ "Jharkhand Police Strikes UAPA on Independent Journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh". NewsClick. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.