Chhattisgarh police book BJP leader, RTI activist for threatening woman cop

The chairman of a state-run communication research centre and a BJP spokesperson allegedly threatened a woman police officer in Raipur on February 6.

Updated on: Feb 9, 2020, 14:42:26 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh police have registered a case against the chairman of state-run communication research centre and a BJP spokesperson for allegedly threatening a woman police officer in Raipur, police said on Sunday.

The two men named in the FIR say the woman police officer’s complaint is baseless. (HT File Photo)

Raipur superintendent of police (SP), Arif Sheikh, said a case was registered on Saturday against chairman of Kabir Sanchar Sodhpeeth, Kunal Shukla, and state BJP spokesperson Gaurishankar Srivas, under sections 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Shukla, who is also an RTI activist, was recently appointed chairman of the Kabir Sanchar Sodhpeeth institute at the Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication by the Congress government.

“As per complainant, station house officer of DD Nagar police station Manjulata Rathore, Shukla and Srivas reached DD Nagar police station on the night of February 6 and threatened her to release one Ritesh Thakur (40) arrested in a cheque bounce case. The duo threatened the officer and told her about their connections in the government,” said the SP, adding that Thakur was arrested the accused on directions of a local court.

The SP said that police have started investigation and further action will be taken.

“No arrest has been made till now,” the SP said.

Both Srivas and Shukla claimed that allegation made the lady officer is baseless and they have never threatened anyone.

“The FIR registered against me is baseless. I just went to police station and asked for the court’s order. This is personnel vendetta of Raipur police against me since I have dragged them in National Human Rights Commission a year ago over a false case registered against me,” said Shukla.

Srivas said that he was continuously protesting and speaking against the Congress government and therefore, he was implicated in a false case.

“I am vocal against the policies and working of the Congress government in the state and hence they are framing me in false cases but I will not stop me from speaking. I have never done anything illegal and never threatened anyone,” said Srivas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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