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Journalists React To New Charges Against Mahesh Langa

Langa, who works with The Hindu in Ahmedabad, was booked on charges of possessing confidential documents related to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GBM).

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Journalists React To New Charges Against Mahesh Langa

Journalists React To New Charges Against Mahesh Langa

Following senior journalist Mahesh Langa being booked again by the Gandhinagar Police on Tuesday on account of allegedly possessing ‘confidential government documents,’ several leading journalists across India slammed the move.

Langa was already in judicial custody in a case of alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion. Langa, who works with The Hindu in Ahmedabad, was booked on charges of possessing confidential documents related to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GBM).

Also Read | Amid GST Fraud Case, Journalist Mahesh Langa Booked For ‘Possession Of Confidential Documents’

However, the Gandhinagar SP has reportedly refused to comment on the sections under which the journalist has been booked.

Several journalists took to social media platform X to criticise the charges on the fellow journalist and questioned the basis and intention of the charges.

“Finding government documents at a journalist’s home is like finding books in a library It is our job to collect and analyse documents. Ridiculous charges against Mahesh Langa,” said Supriya Sharma, executive editor of Scroll, highlighting the absurdity of the charges.

Chiming in, Vijaita Singh, Deputy Editor at The Hindu, observed, “By this standard, most journos will be in jail, if that is the intention.”

Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Hindu, remarked, “Getting closer to the real reason the government wanted to lock up the journalist,” with the hashtag journalism is not a crime.

Replying to Haidar’s tweet, journalist Swati Chaturvedi added, “Also Ports. Only saints in the guise of businessmen are interested in ports in Gujarat. Poor Mahesh, got damaging documents & the rest was inevitable.”

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai stated that most investigative journalists who expose those in power will be jailed if things don’t change. “At this rate, most investigative journalists who expose those in power will be behind bars! Dangerous precedent with scanty evidence yet of wrong-doing. If we don’t speak up now and demand a fair and transparent investigation, who knows who is next?” the India Today anchor asked.

Langa was remanded to ten days in police custody for alleged involvement in a GST scam on October 8. According to the police, the “confidential” documents were recovered during his arrest in the GST fraud case. Known to be critical of Gujarat and the central government, Langa’s ten-day remand was termed “judicial overreach” and “politically motivated.”

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He was arrested after 13 firms and their proprietors were booked for an alleged input tax credit (ITC) fraud, based on a complaint filed by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). The police alleged that the GST scam caused a loss to the government exchequer, with Langa availing and passing on bogus ITC through fake bills.

The case is currently being investigated by the Crime Branch. A total of 13 people have been arrested so far in the case.

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Gandhinagar Police journalist arrested Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai Mahesh langa MAhesh langa arrest Suhasini Haidar Supriya Sharma swati chaturvedi the hindu

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