Published 21:02 IST, September 14th 2020
Republic's reporter Anuj and crew granted bail by court after being detained for 138 hours
Republic TV reporter Anuj Kumar, video journalist Yashpaljit Singh, and Ola cab driver Pradeep Dilip Dhanavade on Monday, were granted bail by a Khalapur court.
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In a massive reprieve for Republic TV, crew members - reporter Anuj Kumar, video journalist Yashpaljit Singh, and Ola cab driver Preep Dilip Dhanave on Monday, were granted bail by a Khalapur court. crew was held by Maharashtra police in custody at Karjat for 138 hours after being 'illegally' detained and charged with 'trespassing' on Wednesday morning. court has levied a small bail bond for ir release and has imposed restriction on team's travel.
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NHRC registers case
Earlier in day, National Human Rights Commission registered a case in New Delhi on complaint filed by Republic Media Network regarding violation committed by Maharashtra police by crew's illegal detainment. In media house's plea to NHRC, it highlighted Maharashtra police's malafide move. Anuj was being interrogated in police custody at Karjat - asking him to reveal his sources, le and story he was pursuing. Anuj was also been denied legal representation, which has prompted Republic TV to move Bombay High Court if needed, while petitioning to NHRC.
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Republic moves NHRC: Plea details
- Republic's two-p petition lists malafide motivated manner in which Maharashtra police demanded custody without offering legal representation to Anuj and our or team members.
- It also stated explains 'illegal detention' of our reporter and video journalist violating human and fundamental rights assured under Constitution's Article 19 (D), Article 21.
- We have been informed that our reporter is being strongly pressured by state machinery in Maharashtra to reveal his story, his les, and his sources, in complete violation of right to report protected by Constitution of India
Why was Anuj 'illegally detained'?
On Tuesday night, Anuj Kumar along with VJ Yashpaljit Singh and ir Ola driver Preep Dilip Dhanave h travelled to Karjat following a le of an investigative story. In wee hours of Wednesday, Maharashtra police detained all three to a four-day custody.
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Furrmore, Republic was t given a remand copy by Maharashtra police, hindering our efforts to seek our team's bail. Anuj and his colleagues have been denied legal representation. Apart from petitioning NHRC seeking Anuj and his colleagues' immediate release, Republic Media Network has also moved Bombay High Court as a Shiv Sena body seeks blocking channel's brocast.
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15:01 IST, September 14th 2020