Sirmour
The case of the arrest of journalists accused of blackmailing in Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, is very much in the discussion. Meanwhile, the transfer of the station house officer of Paonta Sahib is also being linked to the case. According to the information, during the police remand, the accused were being treated leniently, about which many questions were being raised. It is a different matter that the police administration has described the transfer as routine work.
After the completion of police remand on Tuesday, both the accused were presented in court, from where they have been sent to four-day remand. The Paonta Sahib Chamber of Commerce has also taken a strict stand in this matter. In the meeting held on Monday, the chamber passed a resolution against the alleged blackmailing and demanded strict action. The Chamber of Commerce issued a press release sharing information about the case. Although questions are raised about the alleged journalism all over the state, in Paonta Sahib, the boundaries were being crossed for about a decade. That is why the reputed industry had to do the sting operation of the alleged journalists.
On November 1, 2024, the operator of a private company lodged a complaint with the police that two journalists of Paonta Sahib, Ashok Kumar Bahuta and Jasbir Singh Hans, demanded Rs 10 lakh by threatening to circulate false news against him. The accused had also extorted Rs 1-1 lakh, he alleged. The complainant has also submitted audio and video evidence to the police.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the police had arrested the journalists after a preliminary investigation and perusing the evidence provided. According to the police, one of them is a history-sheeter, while the other has cases registered against him. Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Rolta confirmed that both the accused have been remanded to four-day police custody by the court.
Solidarity of industrialists against blackmailing A crucial meeting was held at the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Paonta Sahib, in which the member group of the chamber condemned the recent incidents of blackmailing by two alleged news portals. In the meeting, the Chamber of Commerce demanded strict action on the FIRs registered against the owners of two news portals – Ashoka Times and Khabarwala.
Satish Goyal, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said that all industries are now united and will oppose any kind of blackmailing together. He appealed to the police and administration to keep a strict vigil on such incidents so that no businessman faces unnecessary mental harassment.
The meeting was attended by 60-70 renowned industrialists of Paonta Sahib, most notably Tirupati Group, Valley Iron, Mankind Group, 3B Healthcare, Vitamin Healthcare, Himalayan Rice Mill, Balaji Batteries, and many others. A large number of entrepreneurs also attended the meeting through online Zoom meeting. The Chamber of Commerce issued a press release clarifying that blackmailing by such alleged journalists should be fought unitedly by all industrialists. Overall, in a peaceful state like Himachal Pradesh, the fourth pillar is also being viewed with suspicion.
