Five journalists, Mr. Pawan, Mr. Bappi Ray, Mr. Shivendu Trivedi, Mr. Dharmendra Singh, and Mr. Manish Singh, investigating illegal sand mining in Konta, Chhattisgarh, were harassed, arrested, and allegedly tortured by police on August 9, 2024. The journalists discovered a truck transporting sand without proper documentation, suspecting collusion between the sand mafia and local police. When the journalists followed the truck to the Konta Police Station, the situation escalated. They were warned by SHO Sunil Singh of Sukma District not to interfere as SHO Ajay Sonkar of Konta Police Station, who was present, was his friend.

Later, SHO Sonkar, along with police personnel, shrivelled the journalists at their lodge. The next day, plainclothes officers stopped the journalists, planted packets of Ganja (marijuana) in their vehicle, and arrested them. At Chinturu Police Station, the journalists were beaten with leather belts and threatened with a fake encounter. They were then forced to sign falsified arrest reports. Despite being released on bail on September 3, 2024, the journalists continued to face threats.