The Hindu : Front Page : Scribes found guilty, says Jana Reddy

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Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
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Scribes found guilty, says Jana Reddy

Special Correspondent

Both journalists released on bail; ‘withdrawal of case only after probe’

State has no intention to harass any person, says Home Minister
‘Deputy Inspector General asked to inquire into the episode’

HYDERABAD: The State Government has expressed its firmness in bringing out facts pertaining to the cases registered against two journalists of vernacular dailies in Kurnool district even as they were released on bail on Tuesday after spending six days in the sub-jail.

Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate L. Tejovathi granted bail to B. Urukundu of Andhra Bhoomi and B. Sriramulu of Andhra Jyothi against personal surety of Rs. 10,000 each. The issue rocked the Legislative Assembly for the second day with the Opposition insisting that the Government unconditionally release the two.

The Opposition members, including TDP deputy floor leader T. Devender Goud, CPI (M) member M. A. Gafoor and others criticised the Government for its efforts to “stifle” the voice of the media that was highlighting the lapses in the Government schemes.

Making a statement, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy said a Deputy Inspector General of Police had been asked to inquire into the episode and he would submit his report in a day or two.

The Government would consider withdrawal of cases against the scribes only after examining the report, he said, in response to a unanimous demand made by the Opposition parties for their release. Asserting that the Government had no intention to harass any person, much less journalists, he said Sriramulu and Urukundu were, however, found prima facie guilty in the incident.

Blackmail

Inspection of cell-phones “confirmed” that they had tried to blackmail Amadagundla village assistant K. Maddileti demanding money during telephonic conversation they had with him at 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. on October 23.

Complaint

Kurnool district manager, Housing, P. Vijayakumar, lodged a complaint with the Kodumur police complaining that Mr. Maddileti had signed a blank application of housing scheme (as sought by the two journalists) on the day, subjecting the Government to a possible loss of Rs. 51,000 in cash and 140 bags of cement.

Cases had been registered under sections 464, 420 and 409 of the IPC as the scribes wrote the names of Marketing Minister M. Marappa, Akkineni Nagarjuna and MLA M. Sikhamani on the application form and gave an impression that the officials concerned were responsible for it.

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