Two, including former Zee Rajasthan journalist, arrested for extortion in Jaipur
Jaipur (PTI): Two people, including a former journalist, have been arrested in connection with a blackmail and extortion racket, police said.
The action was taken against Ram Singh Rajawat and Jitendra Sharma, previously associated with Zee Rajasthan news channel as a reporter and state business head.
The channel management had lodged a complaint at the Ashok Nagar Police Station last month against its then regional head, Ashish Dave, and others for cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal misconduct.
A senior police officer said the investigation revealed that Rajawat and Sharma operated under Dave's instructions, broadcasting negative news reports against businesspersons to coerce them into paying money.
"The accused used to blackmail and extort money from builders, miners, private hospitals and power project companies, among other establishments in the state," the officer said.
The scam surfaced after the channel received several complaints against Dave and others. Subsequently, a team from the head office visited the regional office, and during an internal inquiry, Sharma was caught on a CCTV camera allegedly fleeing with Rs 5 lakh from a locker.
Following the revelations, Dave, Rajawat and Sharma were asked to resign by the channel management.
Dave applied for anticipatory bail in the district and sessions court, which was rejected. He then approached the Rajasthan High Court, which directed the Jaipur police to complete the probe within six weeks and submit evidence.
The Jaipur police is expected to submit its report on Monday.
Meanwhile, police sources said the accused filed over 100 negative stories in three months as part of the extortion scheme.
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Dalit officer alleges harassment by senior officials in Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate
Bengaluru: An Inspector of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has alleged that Dalit officers are facing harassment from senior officials within the department that is meant to handle cases of atrocities against SC/ST communities.
Inspector T.R. Srinivas has made the allegations in a letter addressed to DCRE Director General of Police Umesh Kumar, which he has also shared with the media. He has also released a video reiterating the claims.
In the video, Srinivas has named DCRE SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda, alleging that he was pressured to act in favour of upper-caste accused in certain cases. He further claimed that false complaints were accepted against him and he was harassed in the name of inquiry.
Srinivas also alleged that he was not officially relieved from duty in DCRE, but that SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda created “fake documents” showing that he had been relieved, which he said was in violation of an order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).
He said he had served for 20 years without any adverse remarks, but is now being targeted. “Working for Dalits and serving in the police department itself seems to have become a mistake,” he said, adding that Dalit officers are not receiving protection in the state.
He also alleged lack of transparency in the department and claimed that decisions are being dominated by upper-caste officials. In the video, he appealed to the government to intervene and prevent any untoward incident, warning that if the situation continues, responsibility would lie with the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DGP.
Srinivas had been transferred from the DCRE last month, but had obtained a stay on the transfer from the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.
Meanwhile, DCRE SP Karibasangouda has denied the allegations made by Srinivas.
