The verdict in the Kathua Rape Case was announced on Monday by the Pathankot Court. While three were charged with rape and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, three others were sentenced to five years for destruction of evidence. One of the main accused in the case, Vishal Jangotra, was acquitted of all charges.
Jangotra’s acquittal, in large parts, can be credited to Zee News which aired CCTV footage and produced other evidence that showed he was not present at Kathua during the entire series of events. It appears, however, some journalists are unable to digest the fact.
Abhisar Sharma, known to harbour a morbid hatred towards people who disagree with him, has resorted to peddling Fake News to further his agenda. In a video published on YouTube on the 10th of June, the propagandist accused Zee News of trying to save Jangotra by creating a false alibi for him.
HYPOCRISY Of Abhisar Sharma !!
How @Abhisar_Sharma spreading fake news related to Vishal Jangotra who is AQUITTED in Kathua Case.
DALLA is saying how @ZeeNews tried to save Gang Rape accused Vishal Jangotra.
He is saying Court found Vishal Jangotra GUILTY#KathuaVerdict pic.twitter.com/2jNk5BMThz
— Chhoro Marwadi (@ChhoroMarwadi) June 11, 2019
Sharma called the Zee News report a “drama” which was found to be “false” by investigative agencies. In reality, however, the Court commended Zee News’ efforts to highlight the facts of the matter. The Court said, “The genuine efforts made by ‘Zee News’, particularly Editor-in-Chief of ‘Zee News’ and staff needs appreciation as they have tried their level best to bring the actual truth on surface.” The Court further said that it “broadly” supported the Zee News report in question.
आज के युग में मीडिया को अक्सर नकारात्मक भूमिका के लिए दोषी माना जाता है।कठुआ मामले का फ़ैसला सुनाते हुए जज ने @ZeeNews के सकारात्मक योगदान की प्रशंसा की है।सच को सामने लाने में वक़्त लगता है,दबाव पड़ता है और गालियाँ भी सहनी पड़ती हैं।लेकिन सच्ची पत्रकारिता यही है। #KathuaVerdict pic.twitter.com/FQgqFEyTYT
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) June 10, 2019
There appears to have been great eagerness in expected quarters to dub Vishal Jangotra guilty in the matter. The Print declared all the accused as guilty and even announced the quantum of punishment before the Court did. Propagandists AltNews, too, attacked dissenters by insinuating that Jangotra had been declared guilty in the verdict.
