India, June 9 -- The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to two journalists from Madhya Pradesh, who claimed to have been threatened by police officers in Bhind for reporting on the illegal sand mining activities in Chambal river- an allegation rejected by the state government, which told the court that the petitioners were facing charges of extortion and should not be granted any protection.

Allowing the journalists, who are currently staying in Delhi, to approach the Madhya Pradesh high court within two weeks, a bench of justices PK Mishra and Manmohan, sitting during the partial court working days, said, "Considering the nature of allegations, we relegate the petitioners to approach the high court (of Madhya...