Police pick up journalist as Patil questions how he captured ink attack; journalist bodies register protest
Though he was allowed to go home after a few hours, Police seized Wakade’s cellphone and asked him to report to the police station again at 9am. Wakade was still at the Chinchwad police station at the time of going to the press late on Sunday.
The journalist works for IBN Lokmat -- a joint venture of Network 18 and Lokmat Group -- and covers the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad. (Screengrab/ Express video)
Hours after Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil questioned his role in the ink attack case, Pimpri-Chinchwad police picked up television journalist Govind Wakade for questioning during the wee hours of Sunday.
Though he was allowed to go home after a few hours, Police seized Wakade’s cellphone and asked him to report to the police station again at 9am. Wakade was still at the Chinchwad police station at the time of going to the press late on Sunday.
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“We are investigating his role…I can’t say anything at this stage,” Police Commissioner Ankush Shinde said when asked if Wakade would be arrested in the case.
Meanwhile, journalists associated with different bodies in the region expressed condemnation for the minister’s accusations against the journalist and the police’s resultant action in the case. A number of them gathered at the Chinchwad police station to lend support to Wakade.
“I was picked up at 1.30 am…Three-four policemen came to my residence in the thick of the night and told me that the police commissioner has summoned me,” Wakade said during the early hours of Sunday.
The journalist works for IBN Lokmat — a joint venture of Network 18 and Lokmat Group — and covers the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Following the ink attack on the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Chinchwadgaon area, videos of the minister seeking action against the journalist had surfaced on the internet. “How did that journalist get the exact angle when the ink was being thrown at me? Who is that journalist? If by tomorrow morning, this journalist is not traced, I will sit on a fast at Pimpri police station…” Patil was heard saying in a video.
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In another video, Patil is seen asking: “Did he plan this, asking someone to throw ink and then he shoots the video? Otherwise, how come a journalist gets such a spontaneous video shooting? …”
BJP spokesperson Sandeep Khardekar said: “The minister has sought action because the journalist was the only one present when the ink was being thrown…The moment that man is trying to throw the ink, the journalist was present there to shoot it…how is it possible?” he said.
BJP leaders said they were not pressing for Wakade’s arrest.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Patrakar Sangh, a body of journalists, expressed strong condemnation against the minister’s directives to the police. “We are going stage a protest in front of Chinchwad police station as well in Pimpri tomorrow (on Monday). The minister’s directive is utterly wrong. Instead of demanding action against the police who failed to protect him, he is demanding action against the journalist,” said Avinash Chilekar, editor of PCBtoday, an online portal. “We had submitted a memorandum to the police not to arrest the journalist. We condemn the minister’s directive,” said Sunil Landge, president of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Patrakar Sangh. The Journalists Association of Maharashtra demanded an apology from Patil. “We demand retraction of threatening statements by Mr Patil and an apology from him,” it said in a statement.
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Patil was attacked with black ink on Saturday in Aurangabad district following his remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule, which had triggered controversy. Police have arrested three persons in the ink attack case and invoked attempt to murder charges, among others, against them.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
