Journalists' Bodies Raise Concern Over FIR Against Mahesh Langa
Leading journalist organisations have expressed deep concern following the registration of a second FIR against Mahesh Langa, a senior journalist with The Hindu in Gujarat. The Gujarat police filed the latest FIR on 22 October, charging Langa with possession of “confidential documents” related to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). This development has intensified calls from journalist bodies, who view the actions as a potential threat to press freedom.
In a statement, the Press Council of India condemned what it termed the “hounding” of Langa, highlighting the troubling nature of the charges. According to the council, this second FIR, coming shortly after an earlier one linked to a Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud case, signals a misuse of law enforcement to target a journalist. “To implicate and incriminate media persons for the mere possession of documents is tantamount to a fundamental assault on the profession itself,” the council stated, urging authorities to withdraw the FIR and cease what it described as ongoing harassment.
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) also raised alarm over the circumstances surrounding Langa’s detention and subsequent FIR. It noted that Langa, as part of his professional responsibilities, may need to access sensitive documents. In a formal statement, the Guild said, “Journalists are often required to access and review sensitive documents in the course of their work, and initiating punitive action against them for doing their work is worrisome.” The EGI further urged the Gujarat police to disclose details regarding the second set of allegations, as the FIR was reportedly classified as “sensitive” and thus remains inaccessible to the public.
Langa was initially detained on 8 October in connection with a separate GST fraud case. Authorities allege that Langa and others were involved in a GST scam that defrauded the government through the creation of “benami” firms and fraudulent input tax credits. Since then, Langa has been remanded to judicial custody, while several others have also been detained under the same investigation. The Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police confirmed to media houses that Langa currently stands as the sole accused in the confidential document case, with investigations underway to trace the document’s source.
Many prominent journalists and media organisations have criticised the FIR against Langa, particularly as he is known for his critical reporting on both the Gujarat government and the central administration. Several supporters have expressed concern on social media, suggesting that the charges may be politically motivated, aimed at silencing a prominent journalistic voice in the region.
