FIR against MP police officers for assaulting two journalists

While sources close to the two Dainik Bhaskar journalists alleged that the policemen were inebriated, senior police officials told The Indian Express that medical reports of two of the three accused was inconclusive for alcohol content. One accused had not undergone the test.

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Investigating Officer Ajay Singh said: “Sixty to seventy per cent of our probe is complete. Since they were recuperating in hospital , we were not able to take the statements of the journalists, which has now been done. Reports on two of the men have been returned inconclusive for alcohol. One did not take the test. So, we can say it is possible in case of one officer only. We have also received recording of the incident from the journalists. Based on these preliminary findings, a departmental probe will take place that will decide what action will be taken.”

The incident took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, when Krishna Mohan Tiwari, and Vijay Prabhat Shukla were on their way back home from work.

“The police took them away saying they were from the SIMI. They didn’t even stop when ID cards were produced,” said Prasoon Mishra, Deputy Editor with the paper. “They were abused and assaulted. One of our journalists hid his mobile phone in his trousers and recorded part of it for three minutes and seventeen seconds ,” he added.

Meanwhile, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh visited both the journalists at the hospital. The CM said that he would ensure that such incidents don’t happen in the future. The MP Human Rights Commission has also sought a report from the police within a week.

Reacting on the matter, senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said: “Instead of providing security to the people, police is harassing innocent journalists in such a manner.”