Saurav Das is an independent investigative journalist based in New Delhi, India, with a keen focus on law, governance, judiciary, crime, and transparency. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, he began his professional writing career in 2020. Saurav is currently working on his debut book, Complicit Silence: The Court’s Role in India’s Quiet Suffering, which explores how the Indian judiciary has contributed to the nation’s slide into electoral autocracy under the right-wing Hindu nationalist Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Through compelling narratives of victims who sought justice but found no meaningful relief in a court of law, Saurav unfolds the growing entrenchment of a regressive, theocratic judicial system under the present regime. Other than this, he has written for various publications, including, The Caravan magazine, Article 14, Al Jazeera, The Wire, The Hindu, and New Lines Magazine.
An ardent advocate for open governance and institutional accountability, Saurav actively engages in litigation to overcome barriers faced during his journalistic investigations, such as access to information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his intervention before a state High Court prompted the Central Information Commission to expedite appeals on urgent pandemic-related information requests, addressing the federal government’s tightening grip on dissemination of crucial information. Recognizing the systemic throttling of information under any autocratic regime, Saurav continues to use the courts to demand accountability. He also files public interest litigation on broader issues connected to accountability impacting society.
Saurav’s passion for investigative journalism took root during his college years in 2017. At just 18, he distinguished himself among his peers by skillfully leveraging India’s Right to Information Act to uncover impactful stories. Many of his revelations garnered significant national attention, featuring prominently on television news media and in esteemed publications. His work reflects a deep commitment to socially-conscious journalism, driven by a fearless pursuit of truth and justice.
