The Congress on Saturday accused the BJP of gagging the media and demanded the release of senior journalist Vinod Verma, arrested for allegedly blackmailing Chhattisgarh PWD Minister Rajesh Munat. The party demanded that Munat should quit and a probe be held into the alleged “sex CDs” of the minister.
Vinod Verma is not only a senior journalist, but also a member of Editors Guild of India. He was also a part of the fact-finding committee that went to Chhattisgarh to take stock of how secure the journalists were. It had also submitted a report. There have been many attacks on journalists in Chhattisgarh. The report which was submitted also puts the role of the state government in question.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera
Verma was arrested in Ghaziabad early on Friday, on charges of allegedly blackmailing the Chhattisgarh BJP leader with a ‘sex CD’. Verma denied the charge and said he was being framed.
On Saturday night, he was taken to Mana police station in Raipur on his three-day transit remand. While entering the station, he simply said: This is just tip of the iceberg.”
'What Do They Want to Hide?': Congress
In a press conference on Saturday, Congress questioned why the Chhattisgarh police was exhibiting “absolute unprecedented effectiveness and efficiency” in arresting Vinod Verma at 3.30 am from his house in Indirapuram. “They flew down the same night to arrest him. What is it that they want to hide?” Khera asked. The police claim to have seized 500 “porn” CDs, Rs 2 lakh in cash, a pen drive, a laptop and a diary from Verma’s house.
He (Verma) was only doing his job. He was investigating the matter involving the minister.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera
He said that in apparent retaliation, the Chhattisgarh government lodged an FIR against state Congress unit chief Bhupesh Bhagel in a 22-year-old case. “Why are they nervous? Why are they so rattled and nervous about the content of the CD?” he asked.
“We demand an independent enquiry of this entire episode coming from Chhattisgarh. Who all are involved, what is it that they are trying to cover?” Khera added.
The government ordered a CBI investigation into the matter following the press conference, but at the same time, clearly alleged that Verma was in cahoots with the Congress to discredit the state government.
Journalists Also Back Verma Up
Senior journalists and former colleagues of Vinod Verma on Saturday expressed solidarity with the arrested journalist and demanded his immediate release. The journalists held a protest meeting at the Press Club of India (PCI) here demanding that Chhattisgarh Police exhibit any evidence against Verma.
Chhattisgarh Police must furnish evidence related to extortion charges against Verma. They must exhibit materials to support its case.Senior journalist Vinod Sharma
Comparing the situation with that of Emergency, senior Hindi journalist Jaishankar Gupta said although the situation is not as bad as Emergency, as then there were some laws which prohibited media from publishing, “Now people can be arrested on any charges if they publish anything against the government.”
Om Thanvi, former editor of Jansatta, said that targeting journalists is not a good sign and arresting them under criminal charges is an indication that they might be booked for writing against the government.
Senior journalist Urmilesh criticised the government and said that Verma was targeted as he was member of a fact- finding team of the Editors Guild of India that exposed intimidation of journalists in Chhattisgarh.
(With inputs from IANS)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)