Indian Journalists Union and Global Press Groups Condemn Brutal Murder of Journalist Dharmendra Singh Chauhan

According to initial reports, Chauhan, who had gone for a routine evening walk after dinner, was shot in the head by unidentified assailants. The attack occurred near his home, and neighbors, who heard the gunfire, discovered him critically injured and lying in a pool of blood. Chauhan was immediately rushed to a local hospital in Pataudi before being transferred to Ganesh Ji Hospital in Gurugram, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The IJU President, Geetartha Pathak, condemned the murder as a grave attack on journalism and democracy. “The murder of Dharmendra Singh Chauhan is a chilling attack on journalism and democracy. We demand that the authorities act swiftly to uncover the motive behind this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. Such acts of violence cannot be tolerated in a democratic society,” Pathak said.

In solidarity with Chauhan’s family, colleagues, and friends, Sabina Inderjit, IJU Secretary General and Vice President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), stressed that the murder underscores the growing dangers faced by journalists in India. “This tragic loss highlights the increasing threats to journalists in India. We urge the Haryana government to conduct an immediate, transparent, and thorough investigation to ensure justice for Dharmendra’s family and to send a clear message that attacks on journalists will not go unpunished,” Inderjit remarked.

The murder of Chauhan marks the third journalist killing in India in 2025, following the brutal deaths of Mukesh Chandrakar and Raghvendra Bajpai earlier in the year. Chandrakar was beaten to death with metal rods and discarded in a septic tank, while Bajpai was fatally shot while riding a motorcycle. Both of these killings were reportedly linked to the journalists’ investigative reporting on construction and land sales issues.

The IFJ’s South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024-25, which monitors media rights violations, recorded 13 targeted attacks on journalists in India between May 2024 and April 2025. These incidents underscore the need for stronger protections for journalists, with widespread calls across the industry for a Journalist Protection Act to ensure accountability and safeguard media workers from violence and intimidation.

The National Union of Journalists India (NUJ-I) also condemned the murder, calling it an “attack on press freedom and the right to information.” The union has demanded a high-level inquiry into the killing and strict action to ensure the safety and protection of journalists. “Such acts of violence against journalists cannot be tolerated. Financial compensation must also be provided to the family of the victim as a gesture of support and solidarity,” the NUJ-I statement read.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger also condemned the attack, saying, “The IFJ strongly condemns the killing of journalist Dharmendra Singh Chauhan. Both local and national authorities must take decisive action to protect the safety and security of journalists in India, ensuring that the perpetrators are held fully accountable and not allowed to act with impunity.”

The IJU, NUJ-I, and other media organizations are calling on the Haryana state government to launch an immediate, transparent investigation into Chauhan’s murder and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. These organizations also urge both state and central governments to implement measures to safeguard journalists and protect press freedom in India, where attacks on media workers have been on the rise in recent years.

As of May 20, the identities of the assailants and the motive behind the killing remain unknown. Police and forensic teams are investigating the incident, but the journalist community is left grappling with the rising tide of violence against media workers.

The IJU and IFJ remain committed to supporting the safety and rights of journalists, as this case highlights the urgent need for legal frameworks to protect journalists from violence, threats, and intimidation while performing their duties,