 |
|
The arrest of Mahesh Langa, a senior assistant editor with The Hindu, has sparked controversy in Gujarat, with the Editors Guild of India expressing concern over the charges against him. Langa was initially arrested in connection with alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion, but was later charged with possessing confidential government documents, specifically those related to the Gujarat Maritime Board. Authorities claim that Langa's possession of these documents was not for journalistic purposes, and instead points to a corporate espionage ring involving bureaucrats who allegedly leaked documents through Langa to certain corporate players.
Police have conducted multiple searches and investigations, including at the office of the Gujarat Maritime Board, and have arrested an employee of the board for allegedly leaking the official documents. They have also registered a separate case against Langa for cheating, alleging that he used his connections and lifestyle to portray himself as a broker in land deals and deceive individuals. While the Gujarat Police maintains that the investigations have been professional and that Langa's lifestyle does not align with his reported income, Langa's counsel denies any link to the companies in question or alleged fraud.
The Enforcement Directorate, which has already launched its own investigation based on a complaint by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, is closely scrutinizing the case and examining leads from multiple raids. Officials familiar with the investigations have indicated that bureaucrats who were involved in motivated leaks will face consequences. The Editors Guild of India has expressed concern over Langa's arrest, emphasizing that journalists often require access to sensitive documents for their work and that punitive action for doing so is worrisome. They have called for transparency and a fair and speedy justice process.
Malini Parthasarathy, the former chairperson of the Hindu Group, while acknowledging the concerns of press freedom, has countered that journalists are not above the law and should be held accountable for their actions, even if they are unrelated to their journalistic work. The incident has brought to light the delicate balance between press freedom and the need for accountability, highlighting the importance of a fair and impartial investigation that respects both journalistic freedom and the law.
Source: "Professional Probe": Gujarat Police After Outrage Over Journalist's Arrest