Press Club of India Condemns Brutal Assault on Journalist Sneha Barve in Pune District
Pune/New Delhi, 16th July 2025: The Press Club of India (PCI) has issued a strong condemnation of the violent assault on journalist Sneha Barve, founder-editor of Samarth Bharat and the SBP YouTube channel. Barve was brutally attacked on July 4 in broad daylight while documenting alleged illegal construction activity on a riverbed in Manchar, Pune district, Maharashtra.
According to a press statement released by PCI, Barve was beaten with wooden sticks, plastic canes, and kicked repeatedly during her field reporting. Shocking footage of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows her collapsing after the sustained assault. Bystanders who attempted to help were also reportedly assaulted.
Barve has reportedly named her primary attacker as Pandurang Morade, a local history-sheeter who faces a murder charge, runs two liquor bars in the area, and is known for repeated encroachment activities. He is said to have political affiliations and was formerly the Manchar City president of the undivided Shiv Sena.
The journalist sustained serious injuries including internal bleeding and swelling, and has a history of receiving threats for her investigative work on local issues.
An FIR has been lodged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — 118(2), 115(2), 189(2), 191(2), 190, and 351(2) — relating to grievous hurt, unlawful assembly, and intimidation. Five accused have been arrested in connection with the case. However, PCI expressed concern that more serious charges like attempt to murder have not been applied, despite the gravity of the assault.
In the statement jointly issued by Gautam Lahiri (President) and Neeraj Thakur (Secretary General), the Press Club said:
“We are deeply disturbed at this attack on a working journalist. It reflects poorly on the law and order situation in the state. The Maharashtra government and local authorities must strongly condemn this assault and act swiftly to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The PCI urged the state government to send a clear and firm message that violence against journalists will not be tolerated, and called for swift and stringent action against those involved.
