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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Police find mobile network jammer in Delhi's Palika Bazaar
Delhi Police has seized a mobile network jammer from Palika Bazaar in the national capital amid a checking ahead of Diwali, officials on Sunday said.
“Our teams are verifying all shops, hotels and other public places ahead of the festive season. During a special check, a team found a suspicious object in a market,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said.
The device, which is acting like a mobile network jamming device, was immediately seized, he said.
“We are following all the SOPs for the verification of the device. We would also request the local public that if they come across any suspicious article or object, they must immediately inform the police,” Mahla said.
