Kolkata: Debmalya Bagchi, a journalist with leading Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika (ABP) for the past 10 years, was arrested from his home on 6 September after questioning.
One Saraswati Singh, a resident of Kharagpur, had filed a complaint against Bagchi and one other Basanti Das last month for allegedly using filthy language, making derogatory remarks about her caste and even trying to disrobe her.
ThePrint has accessed a copy of Singh’s complaint, dated 28 August.
The arrest has united the opposition in the state, with even Trinamool Congress’s partners in the opposition alliance INDIA — the Congress and the CPIM — questioning Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over press freedom, and BJP leaders alleging that Bagchi is being targeted by the state government for writing about illegal liquor production.
In a post on X Monday, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that there was a “semi emergency like situation in West Bengal under (CM) Mamata Banerjee’s Authoritarian Regime” after being denied permission to meet the arrested journalist.
The Kharagpur Town Police has filed an FIR against Bagchi under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354B (assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to disrobe), 509 (words, gestures or act intended to insult modesty of a woman), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The FIR, which ThePrint has accessed, also mentions section 3(1) (r) (s) of the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (intentionally insulting or intimidating with intent to humiliate a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe within public view).
Offences committed under this section of the act are cognizable and non-bailable, which implies police have the power to arrest without any warrant.
ThePrint reached complainant Saraswati Singh via calls, but she declined to speak regarding the ongoing case and said that whatever she has to say, she will say before the court.
The arrested journalist has been sent to 10 days judicial custody by the district court till 15 September.
Speaking to ThePrint, Ishani Datta Ray, Editor, ABP, told ThePrint, “We are with Debmalya and support free press and freedom of the press. Our stand is evident, which we are carrying in our publication every day.”
In an official statement issued by The Calcutta Press Club, its president, Snehasis Sur stated: “The Calcutta Press Club is deeply concerned about the arrest of Debmalya Bagchi and has sought the Chief Minister’s intervention who has assured, due law will be followed.”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the Home Department charge, enquired about the case with the District SP Thursday in the Vidhan Sabha. Journalists were present in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) at the time.
Mamata assured them that she would look into the case but also claimed the journalist’s conduct was questionable without divulging details, simply stating that she had certain video clips of Bagchi.
West Medinipur Superintendent of Police (SP), IPS Dhritiman Sarkar told ThePrint “the complainant belongs to the ST community and the police will do (what is required) as per statute” when asked if the police will oppose his bail in the next hearing.
‘Mamata’s police busy pleasing CM’
Leader of the Congress Party in Lok Sabha and West Bengal Congress unit Chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Sunday wrote to Mamata Banerjee expressing concern over the arrest.
In the letter, accessed by ThePrint, he wrote, “To cleanse the society of all forms of corruption and dishonesty, the newspapers are expected to bring about powerful articles, editorials and news items. Thus, the media houses play the (role of the) fourth pillar of democracy. I think the arrest of Debmalya Bagchi would deliver the wrong message to the Indian body-politic. In view of the above, you are requested to do what is needed to save and protect the fourth pillar of democracy and oblige. (Sic)”
Last week, Suvendu Adhikari wrote in a post on X: “August 27, 2023 – A news article gets published in the Kharagpur edition of the Anandabazar Patrika, highlighting the menace of Hooch Traders who are operating out of their homes…. The article highlighted the efforts made by Smt. Basanti Das and the other ladies of the locality who tried their best to lawfully obstruct the illegal trade which was catering to teenagers and poisoned the environment so much that women weren’t feeling safe.”
The post further stated, “They sought help from the Police, local Councillor & Chairperson of the Municipality, but everyone was reluctant to act. The article created ripples as the inaction of Police & Administration and illegal Hooch business operation within residential area got highlighted (sic).”
Adhikari was not allowed to meet Bagchi in Medinipur jail Monday morning. He shared his visit application on X, on which the superintendent of Medinapore Central Correctional has denied permission claiming that the politician’s name isn’t on the list of interviewers provided by Bagchi.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty while speaking to ThePrint said, “Instead of concentrating on law and order, Mamata’s police is busy pleasing the Chief minister with such arrests.”
ThePrint reached TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh via calls and messages. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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