Self-immolation: Accused TV journalists still on the run

The police are yet to trace and arrest two Mehsana-based television reporters-cum-cameramen who are accused of instigating a man...

The police are yet to trace and arrest two Mehsana-based television reporters-cum-cameramen who are accused of instigating a man to commit self-immolation in the north Gujarat town of Unjha on August 13 and continue filming the episode instead of coming to the victims rescue.

Kamlesh Rawal of Gujarati news television network TV 9 and Mayur Rawal of local cable news network Gujarat News,who have been on the run for the past seven days,have meanwhile petitioned the Gujarat High Court to quash the FIR lodged against them.

According to the police and eyewitnesses,both possibly knew about the plans of Kalpesh Mistry 29 to commit self-immolation in the compound of a police station to protest his arrest in a family property dispute.

Teastall owner Bhuraji Thakore,an eyewitness as well as the complainant,said the duo reached Unjha from Mehsana and were present near the police station some 15 minutes before Mistry arrived. Unjha police said cellphone records reveal that both had called Mistry before they arrived on the spot and perhaps knew well of his plans.

Mistry was arrested on August 11 by Unjha police after his stepmother Chandrika Mistry lodged a complaint of harassment in a property dispute in their native village of Kamli. He committed self-immolation on the same day he got bail.

According to the police,Bhuraji Thakore has testified that when he tried to stop the Kamlesh and Mayur from filming the self-immolation and instead try to save him,the two assured him that it was all stage-managed and that Mistry will be safe.

It was only when Mistry raised a commotion that policemen rushed out of the station and tried to douse the fire. However,Mistry succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital.

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The lawyer of the adsconding duo,Ashish Dagli,however,said his clients were innocent. The matter will by heard in the court in three days. The deceased has held his stepmother and police officials responsible of the incident in his dying declaration, he said.

DGP S S Khandwawala said the police would investigate all the angles. The police will follow legal course,even if the accused petition to quash the FIR. The police will first investigate the veracity of the statement given by the complainant and will take steps accordingly.

Both TV 9 and Gujarat News channel refused to speak on the case,saying that the matter was subjudice and the journalists have their right to present their contention before court. Seniors of Kamlesh and Mayur at office,who did not want to be named,said the two had not briefed them about Mistrys self-immolation before or after the incident.