<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has today taken suo motu cognizance of a complaint by a TV journalist who was allegedly unlawfully detained yesterday while covering crimes against women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. The Commission has observed that the allegations raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights and also restriction on the freedom of the press. NHRC has issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DIG), West Bengal directing him to submit a report in the matter within two weeks. The Commission has also asked its DIG (Investigation) to find out the facts and submit his findings to the Commission within a week. Issuing the notice, NHRC noted the observation of the Supreme Court in a recent case highlighting pivotal role of freedom of press in a democratic society.</p>