Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 11: Reporters of an English television news channel, Shreyas (28) and Shwetha (24), were arrested by the personnel of Sadashivanagar police station here on Monday March 10, on the allegation of offering bribe to energy minister, D K Shivakumar.

A camera being used for sting operations, cash amounting to six lac rupees, and identity cards issued by News9 channel, were recovered from their possession. It is said that the accused, who introduced themselves as representatives of Energo Power Company, had tried to bribe the minister.

Although the reporters in disguise had visited the home of Shivakumar in Sadashivanagar regularly since the last three to four days, they had not been able to meet the minister. On Monday evening, they met the minister, and requested to sanction projects sought by Energo Power Company, duly offering bribe to the minister, the policemen said. 

Plains clothed police personnel on the site took both into custody. It is learnt that case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against these two reporters, and also Mahendra Mishra, who heads the news channel.

Addressing a press conference later at his residence, Shivakumar said that people claiming to be employees of Energo Power Company had earlier met him with request to approve a file. “I contacted the officials of the department, and learnt that no such file is pending with the department. I grew suspicious about the motive of these people,” he explained.  The two reporters, who came to meet me at 9 am, again came to my house at 3.30 pm. As I had suspicion about their activities, I had requested policemen to be present in disguise. When they tried to offer money, I asked the policemen to take them into custody. Before that, I had received a threat call from the reporter of this channel,” he claimed.