The police arrested a local journalist for allegedly interfering in a government function where a state minister was present

New Delhi, March 15

The UP Police arrested a local journalist, Sanjay Rana, who works for local newspaper ‘Moradabad Ujala Newspaper’ and its Youtube channel for interfering in a government function where a state minister was present, 

The police stated that based on a complaint by BJYM district general secretary Shubham Raghav, a case was filed against Rana. 

In the FIR, Raghav alleged, “…A fake journalist named Sanjay Rana, of Moradabad Ujala YouTube channel, interfered in government work. I asked him not to do this, but he did not listen. He started abusing me and assaulted me. He threatened me while leaving.”

According to the FIR, Rana allegedly assaulted him and also interfered in government work during a programme  attended by MoS (Independent charge) for Secondary Education Gulab Devi at Buddh Nagar Khandwa village.

A video of the incident emerged online that showed Rana asking questions related to lack of implementation of promises Gulab Devi had made before the polls. It shows many villagers supporting Rana and complaining about the status of development work.

The clip shows Gulab Devi assuring people that work is in progress and will be completed.

 Rana has claimed innocence and said he was asking the minister about lack of development in the area. In a recorded video, Rana denied the allegations, saying he was only asking questions on “genuine problems faced by villagers”.

The police booked the journalist under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). 

The police arrested Rana under CrPC Section 151, which is used to prevent commission of cognizable offences.