The Reporters' Collective

22/07/2025

The Election Commission of India has just submitted its reply to the Supreme Court regarding the countrywide voter list revision. This submission was made in response to a challenge by several opposition parties and others against holding a countrywide voter registration from scratch in an unprecedented manner.

Read our latest report summarising the ECI’s reply, where it maintains its stance. Not only have they reaffirmed to the court that they possess the authority to verify whether a person is a citizen during their hurried revision drive, but they have also clearly stated that the burden of proof to provide this documentary evidence rests with the people.

On June 24, the ECI announced a surprise revision exercise to completely overhaul voter lists in Bihar, which will soon head for polls in November. The ECI will start this exercise across India soon. Due to the chaos encountered during its ongoing Bihar revision, the ECI changed its tune midway: people are no longer initially required to provide documents when filling enumeration forms within the 30-day deadline. However, these documents must be provided during the verification process.

According to ground reports, this has led to a larger number of people submitting their forms without documentary proof.

In its reply to the Supreme Court, the ECI claims that 94.68% of the population in Bihar has already submitted their enumeration forms, but it failed to inform the Court how many of these are without documents to prove citizenship.

With this the ECI is attempting to obfuscate the number of voters in the state that will soon undergo a quasi-judicial verification process in the next phase of voter list revision.

Read the report by and through the link in our BIO.

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22/07/2025

The Election Commission of India has just submitted its reply to the Supreme Court regarding the countrywide voter list revision. This submission was made in response to a challenge by several opposition parties and others against holding a countrywide voter registration from scratch in an unprecedented manner.

Read The Reporters' Collective's latest report summarising the ECI’s reply, where it maintains its stance. Not only have they reaffirmed to the court that they possess the authority to verify whether a person is a citizen during their hurried revision drive, but they have also clearly stated that the burden of proof to provide this documentary evidence rests with the people.

On June 24, the ECI announced a surprise revision exercise to completely overhaul voter lists in Bihar, which will soon head for polls in November. The ECI will start this exercise across India soon. Due to the chaos encountered during its ongoing Bihar revision, the ECI changed its tune midway: people are no longer initially required to provide documents when filling enumeration forms within the 30-day deadline. However, these documents must be provided during the verification process.

According to ground reports, this has led to a larger number of people submitting their forms without documentary proof.

In its reply to the Supreme Court, the ECI claims that 94.68% of the population in Bihar has already submitted their enumeration forms, but it failed to inform the Court how many of these are without documents to prove citizenship.

With this the ECI is attempting to obfuscate the number of voters in the state that will soon undergo a quasi-judicial verification process in the next phase of voter list revision.

Read the report here:

ECI says it has the power to list which documents prove citizenship and voting rights. Does not disclose how many enumeration forms have been submitted in Bihar without such documents.

17/07/2025

The Collective’s latest report looks deeply into the anti-Maoist operation in Karregutta Hills, a forested region in Chhattisgarh. The Karregutta operation was touted as the largest anti-Maoist operation in recent history by the government rushing to crush Leftist insurgency by March next year. 

Here, forest dwellers find themselves caught in a brutal conflict— an all-out clash between security forces and Maoist insurgents.

But at the heart of the story is a costly misfire. The report spotlights the fact that at the end of the 21-day crackdown, that was meant to deliver a decisive blow to insurgency leadership, the state had very little to display for its show of force. No senior Maoist leaders were captured or killed despite the offensive reportedly aiming at neutralising senior members of the Maoist central committee allegedly taking shelter in the Karregutta range.
Details of insurgents killed showed that most were under 35, some clearly younger than 20.  

The report also brings to light how the internal war hides the disproportionately high human cost borne by adivasi communities caught in the crossfire between Maoist insurgents and Indian security forces. 

Though the two sides claim to represent the interests of the adivasi people, neither appears to offer protection. The result is a population navigating survival in a forest that has literally become a minefield. 

The Karregutta operation opened the door for disinformation, body count claims, and political speculation. The operation exposed a security doctrine that’s gaining currency in India: the more hidden a war, the more easily it can be declared won.

Read the ground report by Malini Subramaniam through the link in our BIO.

We’re facing a financial cliff. Every contribution matters.

To donate, copy paste this link or visit the Support Us page in our bio.
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17/07/2025

The Collective’s latest report looks deeply into the anti-Maoist operation in Karregutta Hills, a forested region in Chhattisgarh. The Karregutta operation was touted as the largest anti-Maoist operation in recent history by the government rushing to crush Leftist insurgency by March next year. 

Here, forest dwellers find themselves caught in a brutal conflict— an all-out clash between security forces and Maoist insurgents.

But at the heart of the story is a costly misfire. The report spotlights the fact that at the end of the 21-day crackdown, that was meant to deliver a decisive blow to insurgency leadership, the state had very little to display for its show of force. No senior Maoist leaders were captured or killed despite the offensive reportedly aiming at neutralising senior members of the Maoist central committee allegedly taking shelter in the Karregutta range.

Details of insurgents killed showed that most were under 35, some clearly younger than 20.  

The report also brings to light how the internal war hides the disproportionately high human cost borne by adivasi communities caught in the crossfire between Maoist insurgents and Indian security forces. 

Though the two sides claim to represent the interests of the adivasi people, neither appears to offer protection. The result is a population navigating survival in a forest that has literally become a minefield. 

The Karregutta operation opened the door for disinformation, body count claims, and political speculation. The operation exposed a security doctrine that’s gaining currency in India: the more hidden a war, the more easily it can be declared won.

Read the ground report by Malini Subramaniam through the link in our BIO.

We’re at The Reporters’ Collective are facing a financial cliff. Every contribution matters.

To donate, copy paste this link or visit the Support Us page in our bio.
http://reporters-collective.in/support-us

17/07/2025

The Reporters' Collective's latest report looks deeply into the anti-Maoist operation in Karregutta Hills, a forested region in Chhattisgarh. The Karregutta operation was touted as the largest anti-Maoist operation in recent history by the government rushing to crush Leftist insurgency by March next year.

Here, forest dwellers find themselves caught in a brutal conflict— an all-out clash between security forces and Maoist insurgents.
But at the heart of the story is a costly misfire. The report spotlights the fact that at the end of the 21-day crackdown, that was meant to deliver a decisive blow to insurgency leadership, the state had very little to display for its show of force. No senior Maoist leaders were captured or killed despite the offensive reportedly aiming at neutralising senior members of the Maoist central committee allegedly taking shelter in the Karregutta range.

Details of insurgents killed showed that most were under 35, some clearly younger than 20.

The report also brings to light how the internal war hides the disproportionately high human cost borne by adivasi communities caught in the crossfire between Maoist insurgents and Indian security forces.

Though the two sides claim to represent the interests of the adivasi people, neither appears to offer protection. The result is a population navigating survival in a forest that has literally become a minefield.

The Karregutta operation opened the door for disinformation, body count claims, and political speculation. The operation exposed a security doctrine that’s gaining currency in India: the more hidden a war, the more easily it can be declared won.

Read the ground report by Malini Subramaniam: https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/the-claims-truth-and-body-bags-of-karregutta-op

A couple of months back, tax authorities revoked our non-profit status, claiming that journalism does not serve a public purpose. It is a crude attempt to silence us. We are fighting it in the courts. But the gov't order and the legal fight has hit our ability to fund fearless, investigative reporting.

We’re facing a financial cliff. Every contribution matters.
Donate Today.
http://reporters-collective.in/support-us

Home Minister Amit Shah called the 21-day crackdown, codenamed Operation Karregutta, the biggest ever against Naxals. Was it?

13/07/2025

Watch our video on our investigative series into ANI's newfound business niche of imposing copyright takedowns against YouTuber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoxu1ICcUmQ

In part one of our investigative series we found how India’s largest newswire organisation ANI weaponised YouTube’s copyright policies to extract Rs. 15-40 lakh from content creators in licensing deals.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/ani-finds-business-niche-in-copyright-claims-against-youtubers

In part two of our investigation we found evidence that YouTube indeed chose to not protect its creators.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/youtube-says-it-doesnt-judge-copyright-violation-we-found-it-does

In part three we show that ANI in its own petition admits charging YouTubers as high as Rs 45 lakh.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/ani-shares-with-court-taken-up-to-45-lakh-from-youtubers

Work like this can only be produced with time and resources. We are facing a financial challenge because the government things that journalism doesn’t serve public purpose. Donate today.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/support-us

The Reporters’ Collective's latest investigation uncovered Asian News International’s new business model. It involved unleashing 'death row' strikes against ...

09/07/2025

Confirmed: Next, Voters in West Bengal to face ECI’s Unprecedented Electoral Roll Revision

The Election Commission of India has informed state officials that the controversial Special Intensive Review of Electoral Roll will soon be ordered for West Bengal. The state has already completed one review in 2025, just like Bihar.

Read the investigation by Ayushi Kar and Nitin Sethi here:

https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/next-voters-in-wb-to-face-ecis-electoral-roll-revision

The Election Commission of India has informed state officials that the controversial Special Intensive Review of Electoral Roll will soon be ordered for West Bengal. The state has already completed one review in 2025, just like Bihar.

07/07/2025

The Election Commission of India has ordered the wholesale revision of Bihar’s Electoral Roll. All voters must prove their identity, citizenship, and place of residence from scratch differently.

Our investigation uncovered records that show that Bihar had already completed a special summary revision of the electoral roll by January 2025. It was found by state election officials to be robust, going by the standard metrics they use to review changes over time. They were updating the roll even into June. Then something changed. Within days, in a shock to everyone, the Election Commission of India scrapped the entire exercise and the updated 2025 electoral roll, deeming it faulty.

It ordered millions of voters who have voted in the past to revalidate their identity, citizenship and ordinary place of residence. The method ECI has ordered to be used for voter confirmation is unprecedented. It goes beyond the rules and previous practices to differentiate between how different sets of citizens get to prove their right to vote.

Chaos has ensued. Our colleagues Nitin Sethi and Ayushi Kar followed up on the investigation by speaking with officials in Bihar who are conducting the enumeration process. And, they told us the story of chaos unfolding on the ground. But the government claims all is well.

Read the story here: https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/bihar-electoral-roll-investigation

A couple of months back the tax authorities revoked our non-profit status, claiming that journalism does not serve a public purpose. It is a crude attempt to silence us. We are fighting it in the courts. But the gov't order and the legal fight has hit our ability to fund fearless, investigative reporting.

Now, more than ever, we need your support. If you believe journalism is a public good, stand with us. Every contribution matters.

Donate Today.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/support-us

Records reveal: A detailed review and updation of the Bihar state electoral roll was completed by January 2025. The roll was found to be robust. Officials were updating the roll well into June. Suddenly, the Election Commission of India called it faulty and junked it, ordering an unprecedented exerc...

04/07/2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched the Green Credit Program as India’s bold solution to global climate change at the 2023 United Nations climate conference. Yet, as Tapasya’s investigation for The Reporters’ Collective reveals, this grandiose vision is mired in flaws and contradictions, failing to take root even domestically.

Typically, a faltering government initiative would spark dismay. However, this program’s stagnation may inadvertently protect India’s environment. The Green Credit Program allows corporations to bypass their environmental obligations by purchasing credits earned by others for eco-friendly activities, such as afforestation, water conservation, waste management, or air pollution reduction. In essence, it offers industries a convenient loophole to evade accountability.

Under existing laws, companies that clear forests for industrial projects or mining must provide equivalent land for afforestation. The Green Credit Program, if implemented, would allow corporations to sidestep this requirement, thereby undermining compensatory afforestation principles.

Tapasya’s analysis of hundreds of government documents exposes India’s Ministry of Environment’s desperate attempts to lower standards, enabling industries to meet their green obligations with minimal effort.

Yet, the program buckles under its contradictions—lax standards, fundamental flaws, legal challenges, and operational failures.

The investigation raises a provocative question: might the program’s failure be a blessing in disguise for India’s forests? By stalling, it may prevent further erosion of environmental safeguards.

Read the story here: https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/red-flags-haunt-modis-green-credit-program

A couple of months back the tax authorities revoked our non-profit status, claiming that journalism does not serve a public purpose. It is a crude attempt to silence us. We are fighting it in the courts. We will soon update you on our fight against the government’s orders. Consequently, it has led to a deep freeze on our resources, bringing us to an existential crisis. If you believe our work holds the powerful to account, please donate generously. We do not overplay the threat to The Collective’s survival. As we write to you, we are down to last month’s resources.

https://www.reporters-collective.in/support-us

Narendra Modi first proposed it in 2008. He sold it to world leaders as India’s green solution for the planet in 2023. However, the program to help corporates meet their environmental commitments is plagued by flaws and contradictions.

28/05/2025

Following our investigation, ANI has filed a petition in Delhi High Court against YouTubers, comics, journalists and others for speaking on what the latter described as ANI's 'extortionist' business practices.

If you want to understand what the facts are and what are the views of ANI, YouTube, YouTubers, legal experts and content producers. Read our investigation. It's in three parts.

First story in the investigation by Ayushi Kar

https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/ani-finds-business-niche-in-copyright-claims-against-youtubers

2nd. YouTube's response to our first investigation and our position (yes, we continue to stand by our work).

https://www.reporters-collective.in/blog/youtube-responds-to-the-story

3rd. We didn't relent. Here is a follow up investigation. What does YouTube really do and not do.

https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/youtube-says-it-doesnt-judge-copyright-violation-we-found-it-does

Tomorrow the court is expected to hear ANI's plea. We will keep at our job: Holding the powerful corporations and others to account with investigative reportage. Fund The Collective to help us produce journalism that makes a difference.

The news agency is using a c***k in YouTube’s copyright policy in India to shut down news content producers if they dont cough up large sums for using its videos and visuals.

27/05/2025

Follow Up Investigation: YouTube claims it doesn't play umpire on copyright claims by orgs like ANI. We found evidence that it uses discretionary and opaque rules to decide the fate of YouTubers. By Ayushi Kar.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/youtube-says-it-doesnt-judge-copyright-violation-we-found-it-does

In Part 1 we reported on ANI finding a niche business in squeezing YouTubers who clip its visuals. YouTube plays along, ignoring fair-use principle. Since then several creators have publicly spoken out against ANI.
Read here.
https://www.reporters-collective.in/trc/ani-finds-business-niche-in-copyright-claims-against-youtubers

Tax authorities say our investigative reportage does not serve a public purpose. They have revoked our non for profit status. We believe it's a crude attempt to muzzle journalism in the country. Keep us going.
Donate today
https://www.reporters-collective.in/support-us

New revelations prove: When facing ANI, YouTubers grapple with uncertainty as YouTube's vague and discretionary fair-use policy dictates content decisions and channels’ fate.