A glaring example of Free Press in Punjab, Revenge politics by AAP?
06 May 2023 12:07:05
Ludhiana, May 06: Times Now reporter Bhavana Kishore was arrested and wrongly implicated in an SC-ST case by the Ludhiana police. Bhavana was arrested while she was on her way to report the inauguration of Mohalla Clinics by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.
According to a police press note, the complainant was also en route to the Mohalla Clinic inauguration when the car in which the Times Now reporter was traveling hit her. Bhavana was arrested for rash driving and hurling casteist abuses at the complainant. However, Bhavana was not behind the wheel during the time of the incident.
Bhavana was taken away in a car by a male cop before a flimsy FIR was filed against her in Ludhiana's Section 3 Division Police Station. It was also noted that the said cop was not wearing a nameplate displaying his name while taking Bhavana. According to a police press note, the complainant was also en route to the Mohalla Clinic inauguration when the car in which the Times Now reporter was traveling hit her. Bhavana was arrested for rash driving and hurling casteist abuses at the complainant. However, Bhavana was not behind the wheel during the time of the incident. The arrest has risen eyebrows and is described as a classic case of highhandedness to silence the media.
"Under the law, a woman can't be even called to a police station after sunset. This action is completely illegal. If a reporter had gone to cover an event, there is no question of detention. It amounts to preventive detention for which the police have no power. It is not a case of law and order as a reporter is not some goonda," former AG Mukul Rohtagi said. Meanwhile, a second Times Network journalist who reached Ludhiana to cover the event was also stopped from entering the venue.