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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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
