‘It’s a victory,’ says Tamil magazine editor Nakkheeran editor RR Gopal arrested over story on governor, released

He was arrested on Tuesday morning for allegedly publishing a defamatory article against Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit.

The editor of a Tamil bi-weekly magazine Nakkheeran, RR Gopal, who was arrested Tuesday under Section 124 for publishing a story critical of Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit, was released by the Egmore Metropolitan Court in Chennai. Court also quashed the Chennai city police’s plea seeking Gopal’s custodial probe.

The latest edition of Nakkheeran had carried a story, which alleged links between the governor and Professor Nirmala Devi, who is in the custody of state Crime Branch and Crime Investigation Department (CBCID) for allegedly trying to lure college girls into a sex racket. Based on the complaint of Sengottaiyan, Purohit’s deputy secretary, Gopal was booked under Section 124 on charges of stopping the governor from discharging his duties. Gopal was subsequently arrested at Chennai airport.

“ Nakkheeran’s article alleged that Nirmala Devi who is being probed by the CBCID had admitted her links to the Purohit... the magazine’s cover also displayed the governor’s photo along with Devi’s. Therefore, Raj Bhavan lodged a complaint,” said a top official with city police.

“I thank everyone who supported my release. I respect the judgment as it has protected freedom of expression...,” Gopal said after his release.