Journalist Mithun Mishra, jailed after he exposed evangelical activities in Bihar, out on bail

Journalist hailing from Bihar, Mithun Mishra, has been released from custody after more than a month after he and eight others were arrested in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. They were arrested in October on charges of “inciting a crowd of flood-affected locals”, leading to an altercation with police.

Journalist Mithun Mishra, who runs the YouTube channel “Bihar Wala News,” is well-known for his fearless on-ground reporting covering local issues prevalent in the state. Dubbed by many as ‘Manish Kashyap of Muzaffarpur’, Mishra has gained recognition for his no-nonsense, on-the-ground reporting style.

Due to his fearlessly highlighting the local issues, he gained a significant following with nearly 66,000 YouTube subscribers and 76,000 followers on Facebook.

Mithun Mishra’s arrest had sparked widespread criticism in the discourse, with many asserting that his report exposing Christian conversion camps in the Aurai block of Muzaffarpur played a role in the arrest. Incidentally, he was arrested a few days after he had confronted organizers in a viral video, leading to speculations that his detention might be a retaliation from the Christian lobby with high influence.

He had also been reporting on the severe flood conditions in Bihar, showcasing the devastation caused by the rising Bagmati River, which left many residents homeless. Flood victims, upon not getting enough relief measures, came up to protest at Gopalpur Chowk, Muzaffarpur, demanding effective relief measures. They protested for more than four hours, and during this demonstration, a clash occurred between the police and protesters, resulting in injuries on both sides.

According to the Police, Mithun Mishra, who was recording the event, had incited the crowd, leading to an assault on police personnel. He was booked under Sections 74, 76, 109, 115(2), 118(1), 121(1), 121(2), 132, 190, 191(1), 191(2), 303(2), 351(2), and 352 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Later, images of Mishra handcuffed during his arrest sparked public outrage with many pointing out that Supreme Court guidelines prohibit the use of handcuffs unless absolutely necessary. Many of them also tagged the National Human Rights Commission, demanding respect for Mishra’s rights.

On October 7, the Press Club of India and Indian Women’s Press Corps issued statements supporting journalists in Bihar’s Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts, particularly citing Mithun Mishra, who was accused of inciting people against law enforcement. The Press Club condemned his detention as unjust, adding that Mishra was imprisoned on false charges.