The case centred on anonymous posts accusing Rashid of grave offences, including alleged rape and ‘force-feeding beef’
NEW DELHI — Faced with the stigma of a rape allegation for about a year, journalist Omar Rashid breathed a huge sigh of relief this week as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) closed its case against him.
Omar Rashid, an independent journalist, frequently writes on political and social affairs.
The NHRC move is based on a report filed by the Delhi Police, which found no grounds to proceed with the investigation into anonymous social media allegations levelled against the journalist last year.
The case, initiated in May 2025 by an NHRC bench led by Priyank Kanoongo, centred on anonymous posts accusing Rashid of grave offences, including alleged rape and “force-feeding beef”. Acting on a complaint, the NHRC had directed Delhi Police to investigate the claims.
In its report submitted on October 6, 2025, the police said no further action was required, noting that the alleged victim did not reveal her identity or address and showed no willingness to pursue the complaint.
The matter began when Tanmay N., associated with the Sahyadri Rights Forum, approached the NHRC seeking action based on the social media allegations. The NHRC implicated Rashid and the news platform he was then associated with in the case.
However, during the course of proceedings, the complainant did not respond to the police findings.
Rashid later moved the Delhi High Court, seeking early disposal of the case. Last November, the court directed the NHRC to conclude the proceedings within six weeks.
The commission subsequently reviewed the matter in early 2026 and allowed the complainant to respond to the police report.
In its final observations, the NHRC noted that no reply was received from the complainant despite being given an opportunity.
“Upon perusal of the case records, no response has been received from the complainant,” the commission said.
Concluding that there was no basis for further action, the NHRC said, “In view of the above facts and circumstances, the commission is of the opinion that no further intervention is warranted in the matter. The case is closed.”
