Delhi journalist arrested for 'objectionable post' on UP CM Adityanath
Delhi-based freelance journalist Prashant Kanojia has been arrested on Saturday by the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly sharing an "objectionable post" online on UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Separately, private TV news channel Nation Live's head Ishika Singh and its editor Anuj Shukla were also arrested from Noida for allegedly airing defamatory content against the UP Chief Minister, police said. Here's more.
Complaint against Kanojia filed by a police officer
Kanojia was arrested after a police officer complained against him in Lucknow, alleging he tried to "malign" Adityanath's image. He had shared a video on Twitter and Facebook in which a woman claimed she sent a marriage proposal to Adityanath while addressing media outside the UP CM's office. Kanojia was charged under IPC Sections 500 (defamation) and 505 (public mischief) and IT Act Section-67.
Kanojia picked up from Delhi, arrested formally in Lucknow later
On Saturday, Kanojia was reportedly picked up from his West Vinod Nagar residence in Delhi in the afternoon; he was later taken to Lucknow and arrested formally. Meanwhile, many people, including some media persons, condemned Kanojia's arrest. "...Arrest is abuse of law," wrote Siddharth Varadarajan, Founding Editor of The Wire, on Twitter. Kanojia used to work for The Wire earlier.
Complaint against Nation Live for airing woman's claims without verifying
In a separate but similar case, Nation Live's head Ishika and editor Anuj were arrested in Noida. On 6 June, during a debate on the news channel, the woman, who was seen in the video shared by Kanojia, allegedly made defamatory remarks against Adityanath, said police. The workers of a party complained against the TV channel for airing the woman's claims without verifying facts.
Nation Live also doesn't have license to operate: Police
"This could have led to a possible law and order situation," police officer Vaibhav Krishna said on Nation Live airing the woman's claims. Meanwhile, it was also found that the channel didn't have a license to operate and an additional complaint of illegal operation was registered. "They have been arrested on both counts for the defamatory content as well as illegal operation...," Krishna said.
