NEW DELHI: Reporters Without Borders has demanded the immediate release of Indian freelance journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh, who has spent four years in jail after reporting on industrial pollution in Jharkhand.
Singh, 39, was arrested in 2022 at his home under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, an anti-terrorism law, over alleged links to Maoist rebels. He had previously been arrested in 2019 after police planted explosives in his car.
According to RSF, five cases are now pending against Singh, keeping him behind bars despite being granted bail in two cases. In January 2025, India’s Supreme Court rejected his bail application in another case.
RSF said Singh was transferred in April 2026 to Bhagalpur Central Prison, more than 350 kilometres from his hometown, making family visits difficult for his wife and eight-year-old son. It said his health had deteriorated due to prison conditions.
Before his 2022 arrest, Singh had reported on the health impact of industrial pollution in Giridih district, including cases of serious illness among poor communities.
His wife, Ipsa Shatakshi, has said the legal pressure on him increased after those investigations.
RSF Editorial Director Anne Bocandé accused Indian authorities of using terrorism allegations without evidence to punish Singh’s journalism and deter others from investigating environmental damage.
Human rights defenders and journalists say the case reflects growing use of national security laws against reporters covering sensitive issues.
