Sumit Kumar, son of BJP MLA from Ratia, Haryana, Laxman Napa, lodged a police complaint against journalist Jaspal Singh for posting a news item in a WhatsApp group and on Facebook allegedly mentioning his father’s name in a gambling case. .
BJP MLA from Ratia, Haryana, Laxman Napa (left) with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. (Photo Credits: Facebook)
Chandigarh: Journalist organizations of Haryana have condemned the arrest of TV journalist Jaspal Singh of Fatehabad on Saturday on the complaint of BJP MLA Laxman Napa’s son.
According to a report in Indian Express, Sumit Kumar, son of BJP MLA from Ratia in Fatehabad, Laxman Napa, filed a police complaint against journalist Jaspal Singh, accusing him of defaming his father through WhatsApp groups and Facebook.
Kumar alleges that the journalist had posted news in several WhatsApp groups and on Facebook regarding the alleged ‘mention’ of his father’s name in a gambling case registered on March 16, while his father was in contact with Ratia at the time of the FIR. were away.
Kumar also said that another journalist had allegedly put a wrong post in the WhatsApp group.
The MLA’s son further alleged that ‘efforts are being made to malign his political image as he is a Scheduled Caste MLA’.
Journalists from neighboring districts met Fatehabad Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Sharma on Saturday night to raise their voices after police arrested Singh on various charges including defamation, SC/ST Act and IT Act.
Demanding the immediate release of the arrested journalist, the media persons also demanded cancellation of the FIR. After the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner handed over his memorandum to Fatehabad’s SP Aastha Modi. Later the journalists met the SP.
In the memorandum, the journalists said that Singh was picked up from his house. He called it an attack on journalism and an attempt to suppress independent voices.
The police have registered a case in this matter under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act-2000, Section 384 (extortion) and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the SC/ST Act.
However, demanding the withdrawal of the FIR, the journalists have termed the allegations as false. The national executive of the Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU), which met in Chandigarh on Saturday and Sunday, has also taken note of Singh’s arrest.
Balwinder Singh Jammu, general secretary of IJU and former president of Chandigarh Press Club, said, “It is unfortunate that FIRs have been registered against many journalists in Haryana during the last few years. All such cases should be withdrawn without any delay.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary (in-charge of internal communication) Vineet Punia also condemned the police action.
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Categories: Media, Politics
