Journalist moved down by truck after carrying out sting operation in MP
Bhind (Madhya Pradesh): A television journalist who had complained about threats to his life after he carried out a sting operation on illicit sand mining was today mowed down by a truck, officials said.
Sandeep Sharma, who worked for a local news channel, had told the district administration he feared he could be killed by the sand mafia, his nephew, Vikas Purohit, said in a complaint to the police.
The 35-year-old journalist was talking on his phone by the side of Ater Road in front of a police station when the truck, used to ferry sand, ran over him, the officials said.
Purohit, in his complaint to the City Kotwali police, alleged that Sharma had been facing a threat to his life because of the recent sting operation he had carried out on the sand mafia.
"Sandeep had petitioned the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector General (IG), Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Human Rights Commission stating that he feared for his life and had demanded security," Purohit said.
In his report to the top officials, Sharma had said because of the sting operation against the sand mafia and the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the officer was transferred, Purohit claimed.
Sharma was to have recorded his statement against the SDPO and was being threatened by unidentified people, Purohit added.
Bhind SP Prashant Khare said Sharma's application to the authorities was being examined and the incident probed.
The driver of the truck fled the scene after the accident, the police said.
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CID probe ordered into Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar's complaint against BJP MLC CT Ravi
Hubballi (Karnataka), Dec 24: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said he has ordered for a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into a case in which BJP leader C T Ravi is accused of using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council last week.
According to officials, a case that has been registered against unknown persons for allegedly attempting to attack Ravi in the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on December 19, has also been handed over to the CID.
Ravi allegedly used a derogatory word against Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on December 19 during an altercation between them, when the House was adjourned for a while. He was arrested on the same day evening and taken into the police van from Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in Belagavi, based on Hebbalkar's complaint.
"I don't want to comment much on it, I have ordered a CID probe, when the probe is on, one cannot comment or make a statement about it," Parameshwara said in response to a question.
Responding to a question about ordering for the CID probe when Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti termed it as a 'closed chapter', he said, "police will have to do their duty. Chairman will do his duty..."
To a question of five day's delay in filing an FIR into an alleged attempt to attack Ravi, the Home Minister said, "after considering everything, taking Council Chairman's opinion, when things are done procedurally, there might be a delay."
"Everything has to be done in the right manner, so we have given it to CID to probe and find the facts. Ravi has said that he has not used derogatory words, but others including witnesses say something else, all of this has to be investigated, so I have ordered a CID probe," he said.
Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang told PTI that both allegations against Ravi and the case pertaining to allegations regarding attempts to attack him, have been transferred to CID. "Further investigation will be done by the CID."
Responding to the probe being handed over to CID, Ravi said, if CID conducts the probe let it be done under supervision of a sitting judge and let the report be submitted to the judge.
"If the probe is done by the department honestly without succumbing to any pressure, Hirebagewadi police station was enough. If worked under no pressure whether it is a police constable or CID anyone can give justice, if there is pressure no one can provide justice," he told reporters in Chikkamagaluru.
The High Court on December 20 ordered the immediate release of Ravi in its interim order, observing that police failed to follow the procedures in arresting him. However, the bench of Justice M G Uma asked Ravi to co-operate with the investigation and be available for questioning.
