Network18's editor resigns alleging he was forced to stop his book on Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Senior digital journalist Dayashankar Mishra has reportedly submitted his resignation to the Network18 management, where he served as the Executive Editor (Digital). He has alleged that he had to resign because his employers were unhappy with him writing a book on Rahul Gandhi.
Dayashankar Mishra is currently in the spotlight for his upcoming book focused on Rahul Gandhi, scheduled for release in December. Mishra revealed on his 'X' handle that Network18 asked for his resignation if he intended to proceed with the book. He claimed that although he had the option to withdraw the book and save his job, he chose to stand with the truth and continue writing.
Making this revelation in a detailed note, Mishra expressed his surprise at the challenges associated with presenting the truth about Rahul Gandhi. He asked why, in a time when there is a competition to write about those in power, compiling and presenting the thoughts, vision, and determination of a public policy thinker would create such trouble.
“I had no idea how much trouble writing the truth on Rahul Gandhi would create. At a time when there is a competition to write epics on those in power, I thought why would anyone bother to compile and present the thoughts, vision and determination of a public policy thinker?” he added.
पहले इस्तीफ़ा, फिर किताब :
— Dayashankar Mishra (@DayashankarMi) November 22, 2023
राहुल गांधी पर सच लिखना कितनी मुश्किलें खड़ी करेगा, मुझे बिल्कुल अंदाज़ा नहीं था। ऐसे समय जब सत्ताधीशों पर गाथा-पुराण लिखने की होड़ लगी हो, मैंने सोचा था कि एक लोकनीतिक विचारक की सोच, दृष्टि और दृढ़ता को संकलित कर प्रस्तुत करना किसी को क्यों… pic.twitter.com/oEroAWRP1i
Responding to Mishra's claims, Network18 released a statement on Thursday, dismissing them as a publicity stunt. The company stated that Mishra violated company regulations by not seeking permission before writing a book or contributing outside the organization. According to Network18, Mishra was informed that he should adhere to the company's norms when he announced his book, scheduled for release in December.
Having been with Network18 for more than four and a half years, Mishra previously held the position of Editor (Languages) at the digital wing of the Zee Group, contributing to the expansion of the Hindi digital version of Zee News and other Indian languages during his two-year tenure.
Prior to his association with the Zee Group, Mishra served as an editor at the Hindi website of the NDTV Group. In 2016, while at NDTV, he initiated a series against war during the surgical strikes, earning appreciation from academicians, sociologists, and critics.
With nearly two and a half decades of experience in journalism, Dayashankar Mishra has worked in various regions, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. His interests encompass study, travel, and communication. Mishra is recognized for his contributions to social and development journalism, having received the United Nations Population Fund award in 2008 for his research and study on manual scavenging societies. Additionally, he was granted a fellowship on the same subject from NFI, Delhi, in 2009.
News18 statement about the false and misleading claims by Mr Dayashankar Mishra: pic.twitter.com/Cuo5Jd5LRb
— News18 India (@News18India) November 23, 2023
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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt's wife Shwetambari Bhatt in a multi-crore rupees cheating case.
The top court also sought responses of Rajasthan Police and complainant Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre and a resident of Udaipur, by February 18 and said it may consider a day after the bail plea of filmmaker Vikram Bhatt.
Murdia alleged in his complaint that Bhatt and his wife induced him to invest over Rs 30 crore in a biopic of his late wife, promising high returns.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Bhatts, and ordered forthwith release of Shwetambari Bhatt from Udaipur jail.
The bench asked the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Udaipur to pass the bail order delineating the terms and conditions for her release.
The top court also issued notices to complainant Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre and a resident of Udaipur, and the Rajasthan government for February 19.
Rohatgi said the director and his wife and others have been put behind bars.
"It is not so simple... Rs 30 crore fraud," the counsel for the state government said.
"But, you cannot use these cases to recover money," the bench said, adding that the complainant be also made a party to the petition.
"Unfortunately, they (petitioners) have not sought quashing of the FIR… How Rajasthan has been chosen? Very unfortunate," the bench said.
On January 31, the Rajasthan High Court rejected their bail applications in the cheating case.
The two have been in jail since December 7, 2025, when they were arrested in Mumbai and brought to Udaipur.
While rejecting their bail, the high court observed that granting bail to the accused at this stage would not be appropriate.
Vikram Bhatt was arrested after Murdia filed a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust against the filmmaker, his wife Shwetambari Bhatt and others, alleging that funds taken in the name of a film project were misappropriated.
The complaint has alleged that funds to the tune of Rs 30 crore were misappropriated. The complaint alleged that the Bhatts prepared fake bills under various names and got money transferred from the complainant.
The money was supposed to be for making films for the complainant, but was allegedly deposited into the accused's own accounts and used by them.
Apart from Vikram and his wife, Udaipur-based Dinesh Kataria and Bhatt's manager, Mehboob Ansari, were also arrested by Rajasthan Police on December 7, 2025.
