BHOPAL: Police in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh have registered an FIR against three journalists invoking section for "forgery" among others over a report showing a "poor family taking an elderly man to hospital on pushcart over unavailability of ambulance".
Bhind SP Shailendra Singh Chouhan told TOI that the action was taken following a complaint received from the local health officials and the matter is being investigated.
All three journalists have been accused of showing ‘fabricated’ and "misleading" information. This action has invited protest among the local journalists who claim that the administration has taken action against scribes who exposed ‘pathetic’ health services in the region.
Case has been registered at Damoh police station under section 420 (forgery), 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 66 (F) 1 of the IT Act.
Action pertains to a new story on Gyaras Prasad Vishwakarma, resident of Marpura village. News reports claim that the family was forced to take the ailing patient on a pushcart as 108 Ambulance did not respond despite repeated attempts.
As this news went viral on social media, district collector Satish Kumar constituted a team and ordered for an inquiry. The team reported back claiming that it was false news and no calls were made for ambulances. Report also said that the said family was availing benefits of all government schemes including a house and pensions.
Based on their report, the local health officials reportedly got a go-ahead for an FIR against these journalists. Complaint was lodged by Dr Rajeev Kaurav, medical officer, CHC Lahar.
Local journalists however claim that instead of improving the health services in the locality, administration has taken action against reporters who reported facts.
"Team constituted for inquiry has intimidated the family that they would be deprived of all government schemes. They were asked to sign on blank paper. We have footage in which this family can be heard saying the administration took pictures of a pukka house that belongs to their relatives to show that they are living in a better condition," said a journalist wishing not to be quoted.
Journalists from different media outlets and office-bearers and members of media organisations are planning to stage a protest, urging the Madhya Pradesh government to withdraw a criminal case against journalists claiming this action as uncalled for.
