FIR against 2 TV news channels for broadcasting "false stories"
What's the story
An FIR was lodged in Ghaziabad against two Hindi news channels, viz Samachar Plus and News 1 India, following a complaint by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) for allegedly broadcasting "false stories". GDA alleged both channels had aired stories leveling Rs. 2cr bribery charges against its vice-chairperson, based on one-sided versions. The FIR was registered against chief editors and local correspondents of the channels.
Bribe
Trilok Agrawal allegedly paid Rs.50L each to GDA and ED
One Trilok Agarwal had made a complaint to UP CM's office, alleging that he had paid Rs. 50L each to GDA Secretary and enforcement department (ED) as bribe to stop the sealing action launched by authorities against illegal construction of a builder, Anil Jain. This news story was then broadcast by both news channels, Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna said.
Denied allegations
Tried to reach out to GDA Chairperson, says both channels
Both channels have refuted the allegations, saying they had tried to reach out to the GDA Chairperson Ritu Maheshwari but she was not available immediately for comments. Executive Editor of Samachar Plus Praveen Sahni and Editor-in-Chief of News 1 India, Anurag Chaddha, said the story is based on the victim's compliant. The complaint was even sent to the PM, Sahni added.
Blackmailing
Channels broadcasting false stories to 'blackmail' authorities, says GDA member
Executive Engineer RP Singh, who had registered the complaint on behalf of GDA, alleged that the channels had broadcast "false news" to blackmail the authorities and malign the image of the government. Interestingly, builder Anil Jain also lodged a similar complaint against Agarwal and his wife Shalini , alleging extortion. Jain said he hadn''t paid any amount to any official to get undue favors.
Counter FIR
Builder registered complaint and Trilok Agarwal
Builder Anil Jain also lodged a complaint to DM against Trilok Agarwal and his wife Shalini Agarwal, alleged extortion attempt. Jain also contradicted the allegations leveled in the complaint of Agarwal and said that he has not paid any amount to any official to get undue favor from the GDA. Investigations in both cases have been initiated, SSP Krishna said.