Friday, Mar 29 2024 | Time 14:25 Hrs(IST)
image
India


DUJ condemns filling of FIRs against journalist Vinod Dua

DUJ condemns filling of FIRs against journalist Vinod Dua

New Delhi, Jun 13 (UNI) The Delhi Union of Journalist (DUJ) has condemned booking of journalist Vinod Dua under sedition charge for his comments on Delhi riots on his online news channel terming it "misuse of the law to silence a critical voice."
One Ajay Shyam Vill, in a complaint, has alleged that the comments made by Dua had no substance and instigated violence.
On his complaint, Kumarsain police station in Himachal Pradesh registered an FIR against Dua under sections 124A (sedition), 268 (public nuisance), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) of Indian Penal Code.
"The DUJ condemns the selective targeting of journalists for their political beliefs and observations and views these as an attack on the entire media community. We call for the quashing of all such FIRs and other attempts to intimidate journalists," the Union said in a statement on Saturday.
Dua approached the Supreme Court for immediate relief against his arrest by the Himachal Police, who visited him on Friday morning with a notice demanding his presence in the state the next day. He has expressed his inability to do so due to restrictions.
Earlier, an FIR was lodged on June 4 at Laxmi Nagar Police Station in east Delhi on the complaint of BJP spokesperson Naveen Kumar who claimed that Dua made defamatory statements in his YouTube show on the Delhi riots in February 2020.
Dua’s lawyers had argued in the Delhi court that the FIR had been lodged very late, 75 days after the show and there is no evidence that it provoked any public discord.
The Delhi court granted anticipatory bail to Dua and directed the police to not take any coercive steps against Dua till June 29.
The media body, underlined that muzzling of free voices was degrading media in the country. "India’s ranking on the Press Freedom index fell two places to 142 out of 180 countries in 2020, according to the Reporters Without Borders annual index," the DUJ reminded.

UNI PS SB 1844

More News
DoT advisory against fraud WhatsApp calls

DoT advisory against fraud WhatsApp calls

29 Mar 2024 | 2:05 PM

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Taking note of rising fraud calls and cyber crimes, the Department of Telcom Friday issued an advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers and asked citizens not to entertain such calls and not reveal any information.

see more..
PM has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Kharge

PM has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Kharge

28 Mar 2024 | 10:30 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comment on the Congress and said that the PM has mastered the art of "manipulating: democracy and "hurting" the Constitution.

see more..
Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

Comments on our electoral, legal processes completely unacceptable: MEA

28 Mar 2024 | 7:34 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that recent remarks by the US State Department on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest are "unwarranted," and any such external imputation on India's electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable".

see more..
DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

DC extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1

28 Mar 2024 | 7:26 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) A Delhi Court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, an accused in the alleged liquor policy scam, for four days till April 1.

see more..
Lawyers apprise CJI of pressure groups influencing judiciary and vitiating legal process

Lawyers apprise CJI of pressure groups influencing judiciary and vitiating legal process

28 Mar 2024 | 7:15 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) About 600 prominent lawyers on Thursday wrote to the chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud that there are attempts from various pressure groups to undermine the judiciary’s integrity.

see more..
image