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(Ishantimes)New Delhi, [08/06/2024] – The Press Club of India (PCI) has issued a strong condemnation regarding the recent FIR filed against journalists from The Caravan. The FIR, which includes serious charges under IPC sections 354 and 153(A), was registered at the Bhajanpura Police Station in North East Delhi.
In a press statement, the PCI highlighted that the journalists were reporting on allegations against police officials at the Bhajanpura Police Station and on communal tensions in the North East Delhi area in August 2020. During their investigation, they faced life-threatening communal attacks and sexual harassment by a mob. At that time, the PCI had expressed serious concerns and demanded both an FIR against the attackers and a judicial probe.
However, instead of addressing the attacks on the journalists, the Delhi Police has delayed the registration of the FIR and has now initiated an investigation against the journalists. The PCI noted that the details of the FIR are contradictory to the widely reported facts of the incident and raised concerns about the four-year delay in informing The Caravan about the FIR.
The PCI’s statement emphasized the troubling nature of the situation, pointing out that the journalists who were initially attacked for their reporting on police misconduct are now facing serious charges filed by the same police station. The PCI accused the Delhi Police of biased and vindictive conduct and described these actions as attempts to suppress journalistic freedom.
The PCI has called on the Delhi Police to perform its duties fairly, to halt the FIR against the journalists, and to properly investigate the original FIR filed by The Caravan journalists. Additionally, the PCI has urged the Delhi High Court to monitor these investigations to prevent the misuse of power against press freedom.
The press club extended its full support to the journalists from The Caravan and condemned any attempts to persecute journalists for fulfilling their professional duties.
For more information, contact: Press Club of India
