BJP accuses Odisha Police of targeting reporter who questioned CM Patnaik's aerial survey

On Thursday, a journalist working in OTV was allegedly picked up by State Police. Soon after, BJP Vice president Baijayant Jay Panda alleged that journalist Ramesh Rath has been picked up after he broke news of RTI activists' expose on Odisha CM's aerial survey of flood-hit areas. Panda asked as to why Editors Guild is silent on issue and mocked those who claim mselves as "champions of Freedom of Speech". He also said that CM Naveen Patnaik must respond asking if videos and pictures of his aerial survey on August 31 are fake. 

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What is statement by Police?

However, Odisha Police's statement refutes  claim me by BJP leer. Rath was taken to Keonjhar police station and Police have said that he was picked up for interrogation on a case related to circulation of an obscene video clip of a sitting female MP during 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Police ded that Rath's name came up during investigation of that case, alleging that he is one who provided video details. Police also said that after questioning, Rath was released within a few hours. 

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What is RTI expose?

Rath broke a news on CM Naveen Patnaik's aerial survey on August 31, based on RTI responses. He claimed that only one OSS Air Manment helicopter h taken off from Bhubaneswar Airport at 10:12 AM and it h returned by 10:31 AM. Raising questions on time taken by CM for aerial survey (19 minutes as per RTI response) in flood-hit areas, channel claimed that VVIP movement was reported on that day.  

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What has AAI said?

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has refuted claims me by OTV's report. As per reports, AAI, in a letter to Joint Secretary to Odisha Chief Minister gave details about  Chief Minister’s air travel. AAI ded that VVIP only includes President, Vice President, Prime Minister of India and Foreign Hes of state/Govt and CMs are t included. 

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