Gujarat Congress leader files complaint against news channel editor, anchor for defamation

The complaint against Jagdish Mehta, group editor of Rajkot-based Headlines News channel, and Gopi Ghanghar, anchor of Ahmedabad-based Nirbhay News channel, was registered in Tapi district.

The complaint was registered under Section 356 (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and various sections of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

In the FIR, the Congress MLA from Khedbrahma has alleged that in a show aired on July 22 on Nirbhay News, Ghanghar made an objectionable statement against him. He said Mehta consented to the statements, which were “defamatory for him and the entire tribal community”.

He said in the FIR, “A live news debate video came to my personal assistant’s mobile phone on July 22” where the statements were made.

Talking to The Indian Express, Chaudhary said, “My father and I got elected from the ST reserved seat, and we are also leaders of the tribal community. Both the accused had uttered statements defaming me, my father and my entire community, and we will not let this go.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, Ghanghar said, “Chaudhary has lodged a complaint against me and Mehta, and we are also looking into ways to respond to it legally. Till now, I have not received any call from Tapi police.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police, SC/ST cell, Tapi district, Nikita Shiroya said, “We have registered an offence against both the accused. We will first gather the original video footage of the debate so that we can determine the topic of discussion, the statements made, and the context in which they were made. Currently, we are at the stage of collecting evidence, and if necessary, we will again contact the complainant and take his statement. We are also looking for both the accused and will see what they have to say.”