A recent incident in Assam involving the arrest and subsequent re-arrest of journalist Dilawar Hussain Mazumdar has sparked a nationwide debate on press freedom and the treatment of journalists in India. Mazumdar, who is associated with the digital news platform The CrossCurrent and serves as the Assistant General Secretary of the Guwahati Press Club, was first arrested on March 25, 2025. His arrest was linked to a report on alleged financial irregularities in the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Limited (ACAB). The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and fears of legal provisions being misused to suppress investigative journalism.
On March 25, 2025, during a protest organized by a student wing of a political party, Mazumdar questioned ACAB’s Managing Director, Dambaru Saikia, regarding the alleged financial mismanagement of the bank. Following this, he was detained for nearly nine hours before being formally arrested. Charges were filed against him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal intimidation, as well as under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. A bank employee alleged that Mazumdar verbally insulted a security guard belonging to a Scheduled Tribe.
On March 27, 2025, immediately after securing bail, Mazumdar was re-arrested on new charges related to an alleged attempt to steal confidential documents from ACAB. His back-to-back arrests have been widely criticized, with many viewing them as an attempt to intimidate journalists. The incident has led to protests by journalist organizations and press clubs across the country.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented on the issue, stating that individuals associated with online media are not officially recognized as journalists under the state’s policies. He described Mazumdar as “just a private individual” and suggested that he might be part of an online news platform supported by politicians. The Chief Minister clarified that the state’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations does not formally recognize online journalists. He also mentioned that Mazumdar had multiple cases against him, and the police were acting accordingly. Sarma further stated that if the protesting journalists were willing to provide a written guarantee about Mazumdar’s journalistic credentials and take full responsibility for him, he would consider the bail matter.
In a related development, on March 31, 2025, Dilawar Mazumdar’s elder brother, Tayabur Rahman Mazumdar, a government school teacher in Hojai district, was also arrested. He was accused of land brokerage fraud and breach of trust. Notably, Tayabur had been arrested in 2021 over allegations of illegally brokering land deals involving bank loans and revenue office transactions. Chief Minister Sarma described Tayabur as a “notorious land broker” and claimed that the Mazumdar family was involved in such crimes. He also questioned how Tayabur managed to remain employed as a teacher despite past charges and announced an investigation into the matter. Additionally, Sarma alleged that Dilawar was involved in the dumper business (earth excavation) and lacked journalistic credentials.
The arrests of the Mazumdar brothers have sparked a national debate on press freedom. Various journalist associations, including the Guwahati Press Club, have condemned the arrests and staged protests. The Press Club of India expressed shock over Dilawar’s re-arrest, alleging that the government was trying to silence journalists not officially recognized by the state. The Assam Women Journalists’ Forum (AWJF) also raised concerns, stating that the incident was part of an effort to intimidate certain journalists, including women. The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) strongly criticized Dilawar’s “retaliatory arrest” and extended support to protesting journalists in Assam.
As of April 3, 2025, Dilawar Hussain Mazumdar has been granted bail in both cases and released from judicial custody. His legal team continues to challenge the charges, describing his arrest as an attack on press freedom. Meanwhile, Tayabur Rahman Mazumdar remains entangled in legal proceedings, with his lawyers rejecting the allegations and preparing for a legal battle.
The consecutive arrests of Dilawar and Tayabur Mazumdar have ignited critical discussions on press freedom, the recognition of digital journalists, and the government’s approach toward dissenting voices in Assam. The incidents have highlighted the fine balance between law enforcement and the protection of journalistic rights, sparking a nationwide debate on democracy and freedom of expression.
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