MEDIA PERSON THREATENED WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES

MEDIA PERSON THREATENED WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES

20-JUNE-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-------------------------A media professional associated with an electronic media outlet—and a resident of Kudra Nagar Panchayat—received threats via telephone and in person at his doorstep from the criminally-inclined operator of an establishment. The threats, which included promises to break his limbs and kill him, were made because the media person had reported the establishment's illegal activities to the district administration.

According to available information, Baban Gupta—a resident of Ward No. 4, Kudra Nagar Panchayat—[was involved in the matter regarding] his 'Magic' vehicle (registration no. A.P.)... A vehicle (bearing registration number 39 UB 5719) had been parked at 'Suhagan Vatika' in the Kudra Nagar Panchayat. When the owner, Baban Gupta, arrived on June 16 around 4:00 PM to retrieve it and attempted to start the engine, he discovered that the battery had been stolen by unknown thieves. He subsequently lodged a written complaint regarding the theft at the Kudra police station.

Upon receiving news of the incident, local media person Mahendra Prasad Gupta visited Suhagan Vatika and claimed to have found a large number of empty liquor bottles, indicating alcohol consumption on the premises; he reported the matter to the Kaimur Superintendent of Police (SP) and shared video clips as evidence. Acting swiftly, SP Harimohan Shukla directed the local police station administration to investigate the matter.

However, instead of visiting the site to conduct an investigation, the local Station House Officer (SHO), Nandu Kumar, reportedly tipped off the accused—Laxman Shah, the operator of Suhagan Vatika—about the situation. Following this, the establishment's operator began threatening the media person over the phone, vowing to break his limbs and kill him by showing up at his doorstep on Wednesday morning. These actions have raised serious questions regarding the SHO's conduct.

Alleging serious misconduct by SHO Nandu Kumar, the media person, Mahendra Prasad Gupta, has submitted a written petition to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Mohania, seeking justice. The petition alleges that the SHO leaked confidential information provided to the police to the accused, resulting in threats being directed at Gupta and his family.

The petition further alleges that instead of investigating the crime scene, the SHO summoned the Suhagan Vatika operator, Laxman Shah, to the station and revealed the identity of the informant. Subsequently, the accused contacted the complainant's family, allegedly attempting to pressure and threaten them.

In his petition, Mahendra Prasad Gupta stated that on June 17, the accused arrived at his home and, while hurling verbal abuse, threatened to break his limbs and warned of dire consequences. He claimed to possess an audio recording related to the threat, which could be presented as evidence during the investigation. The application also notes that action has previously been taken against the accused in other criminal cases, including usury. The complainant has expressed apprehension that, in the future, he or his family... ...an untoward incident of any kind could occur against him.

The journalist has demanded that the SDPO of Mohania conduct an impartial investigation into the matter, probe the allegation regarding the disclosure of the informant's identity, and ensure legal action is taken against the person who issued the threat. He has also appealed for protection for himself and his family.

The matter has become a topic of discussion in the area. All eyes are now on the police administration to see what steps are taken following an investigation into the allegations made in the complaint.