Guwahati, March 29: Five days after his controversial arrest for covering a large protest at Assam Cooperative Apex Bank, journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar walked free from Guwahati Central Jail on Saturday evening. His release, following widespread protests by journalists, activists, and civil rights groups, was seen as a victory for press freedom in Assam.
Mozumdar, who serves as the assistant general secretary of the Guwahati Press Club and reports for The Cross Current, was granted bail on Friday by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Hirok Jyoti Das. Despite police efforts to seek his custody for five more days, the court approved his release against a security bond of ₹20,000. However, procedural delays forced him to spend another night in jail before he was finally freed.
Upon his release, Mozumdar expressed his gratitude to fellow journalists, citizens, and legal representatives who stood by him. “I thank every citizen and journalist who supported me in this difficult time. I am especially grateful to the team of advocates who fought for me without charging a single rupee. Their efforts helped me secure justice,” he told reporters gathered outside the jail.
Referring to his arrest, Mozumdar made it clear that he would not back down from reporting on government corruption. “You all know what happened. It was only because I asked tough questions about corruption. No matter what challenges come my way, I will continue to question and report the truth,” he said.
Mozumdar maintained that his work has always been ethical and legal. “I have never engaged in anything illegal or immoral, and I never will. I cooperated fully with the police investigation. They searched my house and seized my documents, including my HSLC and LLB certificates, along with my mobile phone, laptop, and computer. I will speak more on this matter when the time is right,” he added.
Recalling the moment of his arrest, he shared how he reassured his children. “When the police entered my house, my daughters woke up. I told them the officers were my friends who had come for news purposes, and that I would be going with them,” he said.
His release comes amid heightened protests over what many see as an attack on press freedom. Mozumdar was initially arrested in connection with Case No. 110/25 under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Even after securing bail, he was re-arrested in a separate case—Panbazar Police Station Case No. 111/25—under multiple bailable charges. This back-to-back arrest sparked outrage, with critics calling it an attempt to silence dissenting voices in the media.
On Saturday afternoon, four leftist parties—CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), and Forward Bloc—staged a protest at Club Rotary, Guwahati. Led by Tapan Sarma (CPI-M), Pankaj Kumar Das (CPI-ML), and Jayanta Das (CPI), the demonstration condemned the BJP-led government’s “arbitrary actions” and demanded a transparent investigation into corruption at Assam Cooperative Apex Bank.
Meanwhile, Guwahati Press Club President Sushmita Goswami reaffirmed the media fraternity’s resolve to stand together. “Dilwar walks out of custody! Released on bail, finally! More strength to journalist unity. Thanks to all for the show of solidarity. Our fight for the safety and rights of journalists continues,” she declared.
Mozumdar’s case has become a flashpoint in Assam’s ongoing debate over press freedom and the role of journalists in exposing corruption. With his release, the battle for independent journalism in the state has gained new momentum.
