BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter
Mumbai: Journalists in Mumbai led a ‘silent march’ to protest against the arrest of Tarakant Dwivedi alias Akela by the Government Railway Police (GRP) under the Official’s Secret Act.
On June 28, 2010 Akela had done a chilling front page story for Mumbai Mirror on how expensive armoury bought after the 26/11 was lying waste under leaking roof at Chhatrpati Shivaji Terminus.
Instead of taking corrective measures, eleven months after the story was published, on May 17, 2011 GRP arrested Akela under Section 3 (1) (a) of the draconian Official Secrets Act of 1923 which details “penalties for spying”. He was sent for three days police custody.
The silent march was organised by journalists on Thursday from Mumbai Press Club to the Mantralaya in protest. Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh and Press Club have demanded suspension of concerned cops, dropping of charges against Akela and enquiry by an independent body.
Sachin Kalbag, the Executive Editor of Mid Day, where Akela is currently principal Correspondent, wrote: “This action smacks of vendetta, and no free press in any democracy should bow to this bullying by the police, which is clearly an effort to muzzle the press.”
