The consulting editor of the popular channel Republic TV, Pradeep Bhandari was detained by the Mumbai Police after he was questioned for several hours. Since then, the channel has targeted the Maharashtra government asking justice for their editor.
Pradeep Bhandari was released later and said that the police had tried to arrest him despite having an anticipatory bail due to pressure from the top.
The Allegation
The consulting editor of Republic TV, Pradeep Bhandari, was questioned by the Khar Police in Mumbai for five straight hours on Saturday. The questioning came after a case was lodged against Bhandari for obstructing police officers from doing their duty. Earlier last month, Bhandari had allegedly assembled a crowd outside the Kangana Ranaut’s house during the demolition. Khar Police had summoned Bhandari for questioning in the same matter.
On the other hand, Republic TV accused the Mumbai police of illegally detaining Bhandari despite having an anticipatory bail. The channel also accused police of denying access to lawyers to Bhandari. On Thursday, the additional sessions judge RM Sadrani was granted anticipatory bail to Pradeep Bhandari before he was arrested. The court also directed the journalist that in the event of his arrested, he will be released on a personal bond of Rs. 15,000 and a surety of the same amount.
On Sunday, netizens trended #PresidentRuleInMaharashtra as the demand for President rule in Maharashtra gains mileage every day. The major reason behind this is speculated to be the detention of Republic TV’s Pradeep Bhandari.
Pradeep Bhandari was booked under the Indian Penal Code sections of assault on a public servant or using criminal force on a public servant to deter him. The complaint was filed under articles 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of IPC, and 37(1), 135 of the Bombay Police Act.
Source: Free Press Journal
