The Delhi Police had yesterday registered a non-cognisable information report (NCIR) against a set of persons for intimidating and harassing republic TV reporter and anchor Shivani Gupta. The NCIR with number 0014/2018 was registered at the Parliament Street police station.
It is notable here that Republic TV had reported the incident which occurred on 9th January 2018 at a Jignesh Mevani rally where Republic TV reporter Shivani Gupta was reporting live. Some miscreants were caught on camera harassing and intimidating her. Gupta has written in her complaint that the mob harassing her was being egged on by those present on the dais, including JNU activist Shehla Rashid.
Gupta has claimed the entire incident is recorded on camera and has also provided additional information to the police, which includes the identity of at least one man in the mob who was intimidating her. The man is identified as an advocate named Apurv Singh of Noida. Singh is seen in the video allegedly obstructing Gupta from carrying out her professional duties and defending her harassers. In the incident, the mob was so threatening that the police had to intervene and escort Gupta to safety, which has also been recorded on camera.
The investigation has been handed over to Sub-inspector Bakshish Singh of the Parliament Street police station. When approached for a comment, Republic TV has maintained that the police complaint has been filed to preserve the dignity of their reporter and to make sure that the guilty are brought to justice. They also added that harassment and intimidation of a woman journalist is a serious offence and they are hopeful that the police would carry out a truthful investigation into the issue. They added further that they are hopeful the investigation into the case will act as a deterrent against such incidents of hooliganism occurring in the future by a motivated mob.
it is notable here that the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), after questioning the Republic TV reporter and holding inquiry over the incident had stated that they could not decide conclusively that Shivani Gupta was harassed. The NBSA has also ordered that the Republic TV must run an apology on its channel for airing the incident and circling the face of Apurv Singh.
