Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SP)
Mumbai, Sep 10: Republic TV reporter Anuj Sharma, and cameraperson Yashpaljit Singh, were arrested on Tuesday night reportedly for abusing a security guard at Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray's farmhouse at Mohe Bhilwale village, Khalapur, Raigar. They have also been accused of trespass.
They were picked from a highway at Navi Mumbai and handed over to Raigad police. Raigad police spokesperson Suresh Yamgar, said that the arrested persons had identity cards with them but they are yet to confirm that they were reporters. He said that the arrests were made based on complaints made by the watchman of the farmhouse owned by the chief minister. Reportedly, the watchman, who was approached by the journalists, initially said he was ignorant about where the chief minister's farm house was located. But after finding that he was the watchman of the farmhouse, the journalists reportedly approached him and argued with him for providing them false information. "They left after abusing and manhandling the watchman. On the basis of complaint made by him at Khalapur police station, the arrests were made," Yamgar explained.
Anuj Sharma and Yashpaljit Singh were later sent to police custody for five days. Responding to the arrests, Republic TV said the reporters were taken into police custody illegally and that this incident seems to be part of a larger pattern by the Maharashtra government to try and block the Republic Media Network.
Republic TV added that the journalists were denied legal representation before being sent to police custody. They accused the officials of pressurizing the reporters to reveal the story they were chasing. The media house said that an attempt to intimidate the journalists is in progress and right to life and personal liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution of India have been deprived. It said that excessive police force was used, remand copy was not given and expressed its determination to fight for justice by raising this issue at every forum and carrying on campaign till justice is done.