The Hindu editor urges Gujarat Police to drop FIR against journalist Mahesh Langa
Gandhinagar: Suresh Nambath, editor of The Hindu, has called on the Gujarat Police to withdraw the FIR against senior assistant editor Mahesh Langa, who has been charged with possessing confidential documents related to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). This is the second FIR against Langa, who was already in judicial custody for a separate case involving alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud.
The latest FIR was lodged at the Sector-7 police station in Gandhinagar on October 22, following a complaint from the GMB. The first FIR was filed based on a complaint by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI).
Nambath expressed concern over the charges against Langa in a series of posts on X, stating, “Journalists are required to process documents, including those of a confidential nature, in the line of their work. To file charges against them for possession of such documents is to undermine their journalistic work and fundamental rights and to subvert the public interest. We urge the Gujarat Police to drop the charges relating to the possession of classified documents against Mahesh.”
He also highlighted that the FIR filed against Langa was not publicly accessible, as it had been classified under the “sensitive” category. “This is completely unacceptable,” Nambath asserted.
In response, Gandhinagar SP Ravi Teja Vasamsetty clarified that the FIR was filed based on the GMB's complaint, stating, “It is our duty to investigate the claims.” He added that the FIR had been submitted to the court and that Langa's family could obtain it from there. Vasamsetty confirmed that no further actions had been taken against Langa at this time.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
