Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Police file FIR against journalist Aman Chopra amid protests
A reporter named Aman Chopra went to a hospital in Ranchi to film a student who was on a hunger strike.
The student was protesting against problems with exams for government jobs.
Police filed a case against Chopra, saying he entered a special medical room without permission.
Chopra says the government is trying to stop journalists from telling the truth.
Many students in Jharkhand have been protesting for more than two weeks.
They say some exams were not fair and want them cancelled.
Thousands marched to the Assembly building, and police used tear gas and batons to push them back.
The government cancelled three exams but refused to cancel the one the students want cancelled most.
Instead, it promised a probe led by a retired judge.
A group called the Committee to Protect Journalists is watching the case to make sure press freedom is protected.
Jharkhand Police filed an FIR against journalist Aman Chopra for entering Sadar Hospital's High Dependency Unit in Ranchi and recording videos without authorisation.
Chopra, who works for News18 India and runs The Aman Podcast, said he was detained while having breakfast and questioned for nearly two hours before receiving a copy of the FIR.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said it is monitoring the investigation and called for a transparent, proportionate probe that does not obstruct legitimate journalism.
On the 17th day of protests over alleged exam irregularities, police lathi-charged and fired tear gas at students marching to the Jharkhand Assembly, though protesters breached barricades and reached the premises.
The Jharkhand government cancelled three examinations, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services, but refused to cancel the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission graduate-level examination.
- Who
- Journalist Aman Chopra of News18 India and The Aman Podcast; Jharkhand Police; student protesters complaining of examination irregularities.
- What
- An FIR was filed against Chopra for filming a hunger-striking student in the High Dependency Unit of Sadar Hospital, while students marched to the Jharkhand Assembly demanding exam cancellations and investigations.
- When
- The FIR relates to footage recorded on Saturday; Chopra announced it on Monday, on the 17th day of the protests that began on July 25.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, including Sadar Hospital and the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in government recruitment examinations and demand cancellations and CBI and Enforcement Directorate probes; police say Chopra entered a sensitive medical area without authorisation, violating infection-control and patient-safety protocols.
Protesters and journalists
Jharkhand government and police
FIR against journalist Aman Chopra
Protesters and journalists
Chopra says the Jharkhand government is worried the truth will be exposed and is stopping journalists from doing their work; he calls the FIR "the price we have to pay for doing our job."
Jharkhand government and police
Police booked Chopra for entering Sadar Hospital's High Dependency Unit without authorisation, violating infection-control and patient-safety protocols, and sought an investigation into whether patient information was recorded without consent.
Cancellation of state recruitment exams
Protesters and journalists
Students demand the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level examination and a CBI probe into all state public commission tests.
Jharkhand government and police
The government refuses to cancel the graduate-level examination, saying it was conducted under Supreme Court and Jharkhand High Court monitoring, and proposes a high-level judicial inquiry headed by a retired judge.
- Journalist
- Aman Chopra (News18 India, The Aman Podcast)
- FIR allegation
- Entering Sadar Hospital's High Dependency Unit in Ranchi without authorisation and recording videos
- Protest start date
- July 25
- Protest day at march
- 17th day
- Exams cancelled by government
- Three, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services
- Exam students demand cancelled
- Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level
- Protesters on fast
- Six demonstrators
- Monitoring body
- Committee to Protect Journalists