The Mumbai Police on Friday arrested woman reporter Jigna Vora for abetting the murder of 56-year-old journalist J Dey — more than five months after he was gunned down near his residence, allegedly by underworld don Chhota Rajan's men.
Vora, 37, deputy bureau chief with The Asian Age in Mumbai, was arrested from her residence. Hours after her arrest, Vora was produced in court and was sent to police custody for seven days. The police, however, had sought 14 days' custody.
Clad in a salwar suit, Vora was inconsolable during the 45 minutes she spent in the court.
Mumbai Police crime branch chief Himanshu Roy said, "We have reason to believe that Vora was involved. More arrests are possible. Legal experts say we have more than enough evidence that requires Vora's custodial interrogation."After analysing Vora's telephone records and interrogating the other accused in the case, it was found that more than a month before the killing, Vora had emailed a few of the anti-Rajan articles written by Dey, details of his motorcycle registration and residence to the gangster.
A crime branch officer, who did not wish to be named, said, "Rajan forwarded these details to Satish Kalya (the contract killer), which helped him in executing the killing."
{{/usCountry}}A crime branch officer, who did not wish to be named, said, "Rajan forwarded these details to Satish Kalya (the contract killer), which helped him in executing the killing."
{{/usCountry}}Former Mumbai police commissioner MN Singh said the organised crime syndicate works on the principle of penetrating into every possible institution and profession.
He said, "A lady journalist working for a gangster and, that too, against her fellow journalist is sad."
Vora's arrest evoked mixed reactions. Her colleagues stood by her, but there were others who referred to it as a professional who went beyond her brief.
Asian Age resident editor in Mumbai Hussain Zaidi, said, "We have full faith in Vora's innocence and integrity. The truth will come out soon."