On July 4, journalist Sneha Barwe was assaulted on camera – beaten with a wooden stick until she blacked out – while reporting on illegal construction near a riverbed in Nighotwadi village of Manchar, in Maharashtra’s Pune district. Ten days on, the prime accused in the case is still at large.
The 29-year-old founder-editor of independent digital outfit Samarth Bharat Pariwar was hospitalised for three days after the assault. Medical reports reviewed by Newslaundry show that she suffered serious injuries to the back of her head and lower back after being hit. She showed signs of internal bleeding, had seizures, and was vomiting. She wasn’t able to speak or sit up, and initially lacked the ability to respond verbally, suggested the reports.
A video of the incident was widely circulated on social media after it surfaced online last week. But this isn’t the first time the journalist has faced threats for doing her job.
In February, she was heckled outside her office after reporting on poor road conditions in her native Chas-Narodi village. In July 2024, she alleged receiving a threatening call from former MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil after a story critical of him. She filed a formal complaint at Manchar police station, citing intimidation.
Speaking about the latest assault, Barwe claimed, “I had received a tip-off about unauthorised construction near the riverbed. Locals told me it could lead to flooding during heavy rain so I decided to report on it…I had interviewed residents and had just begun recording a piece-to-camera when I was hit hard on the back of my head with a stick. I blacked out.”
“The men behind the construction also attacked those who tried to help me. I was hospitalised and discharged a few days later. But doctors have advised me to rest and limit speaking.”
Barwe named her main attacker as Pandurang Morade, a history-sheeter who runs two liquor bars in the area, faces a murder case, and has often been accused of encroachment. He also has connections with political parties and was once the Manchar City president of the undivided Shiv Sena.
Police have registered a case against Morade, his sons Prashant and Nilesh, and six others. While Morade’s sons are among the five arrested so far, he is yet to be held.
Police inspector Srikant Kankal told Newslaundry, “We’ve arrested five accused and will nab the remaining one soon. They’ve been booked under sections 118(1), 115(2), 189(2), 191(2), 190, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.” The sections pertain to voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting and criminal intimidation.
Barwe said Pandurang is “a repeat offender who has been previously booked for attempted murder and murder. He’s currently out on bail but continues to act with impunity. The police have registered a collective FIR for all those who were attacked that day. But they have not invoked serious charges like attempted murder against him.”
She added that this was her second physical assault in just six months. “In February, some men confronted me outside my office after I published a story on the poor condition of roads in Chas-Narodi. They tried to slap me, threw slippers at me. I immediately approached the police and lodged an FIR.”
Barwe also recalled the July 2024 threat from former MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil. “He said my story had damaged his image during elections and warned me not to report on him again. He said I would face consequences if I did. I filed a complaint that evening with Manchar police.”
Barwe remains undeterred. “I have been facing threats and attacks simply for reporting on local issues. But I won’t be silenced…I am focusing on recovering from my injuries, but as soon as I feel better, I will be back on the ground doing my job.”
Responding to allegations, former MP Patil told Newslaundry that he had only called the journalist to “register my objection” to her “biased” reportage. “I did call her but not to threaten her but to register my objection to her manipulated reports. Her reports were intentionally done to tarnish my image. They were biased.”
Update on July 15 at 10.30 am: This report has been updated with a quote from former MP Patil.
Update at 5.10 pm: The Press Club of India, in a statement, said it is “deeply disturbed at this attack on a working journalist, which reflects poorly on the law and order situation in the state”. It urged the state government to act swiftly to hold the attackers responsible and “unequivocally” signal that such violence against journalists will not be tolerated.
Update on July 17: Barwe is concerned about her family’s safety after Prashant Morade, son of the prime accused, visited her village on Thursday afternoon, allegedly inquiring about her relatives and personal details. She said she immediately contacted the police. “He came to the village in the afternoon and started asking local residents about my family – where they live, who all are at home, and what they do…I’m not afraid of him, but I’m genuinely worried about my family. They must not be harmed in any way.”
Assistant Police Inspector Suni Badgujar, the investigating officer, confirmed the development. “Yes, I received a call from Ms Barwe, after which I immediately contacted Prashant Morade and instructed him to report to the police station at 7 pm. I also checked with my colleagues about the reason for his visit.”
Badgujar said he was told Morade may have gone to the village to submit an RTI application to the gram panchayat. "Although I cannot confirm whether he went to file the RTI, that’s what I have been informed. I have called him in as a preventive measure."
Pandurang Morade has not yet been arrested. Asked for comment, Inspector Shrikant Kankal at Manchar police station said, “He has a fractured leg. Once he is declared fit by a doctor, we will proceed with the arrest.”
Newslaundry also reached out to Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill and NCP (SP) local MP Amol Kolhe for comment. This story will be updated if they respond.
The headline of this report has been revised to indicate the development.
Update at 11 am on July 18: The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the attack on Barwe and sought an action-taken report within three days.
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