Press Council of India S.No. 1 F.No.13/227/15-16-PCI Suo-Motu
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Press Council of India S.No. 1 F.No.13/227/15-16-PCI Suo-motu cognizance with regard to stoppage of Advertisements of J&K based newspapers by the DAVP Adjudication dated 15.11.2018 Facts: Shri Prakash Dubey, Former Member, Press Council of India vide his e-mail dated 11.3.2016 forwarded an e-mail dated 11.3.2016 of Shri Fayaz Kaloo, Editor, Kashmir Uzma and Greater Kashmir regarding stoppage of advertisement to Greater Kashmir, English daily and Kashmir Uzma, Urdu daily by the DAVP empanelment authority without citing any reason. He further stated that earlier in 2008 though for a short period of time and again in 2010 to 2013, the release of advertisements through DAVP were stopped and only with the intervention of State Government, release of advertisement were restored. Shri Kaloo vide his letter dated 9.4.2016 addressed to Hon’ble Chairman while reiterating his plight submitted that their editorial policy has been to provide space to spectrum of views ranging from political opinion to common man’s view. He requested the Council to intervene in the matter so that embargo on his papers is lifted. Reply from DAVP A letter dated 1.4.2016 followed by a reminder dated 4.5.2016 was issued to Director General, DAVP for filing his report in the matter. In response thereto, the Additional Director General of DAVP has filed letter dated 13.7.2016. Reply from Ministry of I&B Shri R.C. Joshi, Director, Govt. of India, Ministry of I&B vide his letter dated 2.2.2017 has informed the Council that the explanation of DAVP was conveyed to the Hon’ble Chairman, PCI vide DAVP letter No. 11/0173/15-16-MR&C dated 13.7.2016. DAVP has nothing further to add, hence Hon’ble PCI may decide accordingly. Report of the Inquiry Committee The matter came up for hearing before the Inquiry Committee on 24.9.2018 at New Delhi. Smt. Meghna Bhatia, Business Head and Shri Javaid Jalib, Bureau Chief appeared on behalf of the Editor- in-Chief. Shri R.C. Joshi, Addl. DG and Shri B.P. Meena, Media Executive appeared on behalf of DAVP. In the facts of the present case, the Inquiry Committee is not inclined to proceed in the matter. However, it gives liberty to the “Greater Kashmir” or for that matter any other newspaper to file complaint giving detailed facts. With the aforesaid observation, the Inquiry Committee drops the proceedings. Held The Press Council on consideration of records of the case and Report of the Inquiry Committee accepts reasons, findings and adopts the Report of the Committee and decides to drops the proceeding with observations. Press Council of India S.No. 2 File No. 13/236/16-17-PCI Complainant Respondent Shri Muhammad Karimullah, Vs. The Chief Secretary, Bureau Chief, Government of Bihar, Farooqi Tanzim, Urdu Daily, Patna, Bihar Madhubani, Bihar The Secretary, Home (Police) Department, Government of Bihar, Patna, Bihar The Director General of Police, Bihar Police, Patna, Bihar The District Collector, Madhubani, Bihar. The Station House Officer, Sadar Thana Nagar, Madhubani, Bihar. Superintendent of Police, Madhubani, Bihar. Shri Muhammad Sameeur Rehman, Kotwali Chowk, Ward No. 30, Bhoada, Madhubani, Bihar. Adjudication dated 15.11.2018 This complaint dated 22.02.2017 has been filed by Shri Muhammad Karimullah, Bureau Chief, Farooqi Tanzim, Urdu Daily, Bihar against Shri Muhammad Sameeur Rehman, Madhubani for allegedly carrying fatal attack on him. The complainant has stated that the respondent has criminal tendency and many criminal cases are registered against him. The complainant submitted that in his paper’s edition dated 17.10.2014, he has published news against the respondent pertaining to fatal attack on a person. Exasperated by the impugned news item, the respondent threatened to shut his newspaper. The respondent also attempted extortion by asking for Rs. 5000/- from him which complainant refused to give. The respondent consequently, on 22.01.2017 carried out a fatal attack on him leading to serious head injuries. The complainant has further informed that he has filed a case against the respondent in police station and on 18.02.2017. The complainant has alleged the respondent has asked him to stop reporting otherwise he and his family would be killed. The complainant requested the Council to take stringent action against the respondent. Notices for Statement in Reply was sent to the respondents on 18.04.2017. Statement in Reply The District Magistrate, Madhubani vide letter dated 03.05.2017 addressed to Superintendent of Police, Madhubani a copy endorsed to the Council while referring case no. 14/2017 registered on 22.01.2017 by the complainant has requested to ensure safety of the complainant by providing requisite security measures. The District Magistrate has further asked Superintendent of Police, Madhubani to file requisite reply before the Press Council of India on the matter after taking necessary action. A copy of Written Statement has been sent to the complainant on 09.06.2017. Communication dated 7.10.2017, 9.10.2017 and 17.10.2017 received from the respondent Shri Mohammad Sameeur Rehman, Madhubani The respondent, Shri Rehman vide letter dated 7.10.2017 has informed the Council that the complainant Shri Karimullha is his maternal uncle in relation and he had lent Rs. 25000/- to the complainant for his daughter’s marriage. Later for the settlement of money, an argument took place and the complainant filed a case (14/2017) against him. Subsequently, the respondent also filed a case 15/2017 against the complainant. He has further submitted that at present he is on bail in the case filed by the complainant. Shri Rehman vide his another letter dated 9.10.2017 has submitted that the complainant is in the habit of taking money from the people and does not return the same. The respondent submitted that the complainant threatens people in the garb of journalism and all his statement before the Press Council of India are false and baseless. He has requested the Council to dismiss the matter. The respondent vide communication dated 17.10.2017, while giving reference of earlier letters dated 7.10.2017 and 9.10.2017 has submitted that the matter does not belong to the Press as the complainant is his maternal uncle and this completely a family dispute. He has further requested the Council to dismiss the matter. A copy of this communication has been forwarded to the complainant vide Council letter dated 12.12.2017. Communication from the complainant The complainant, Mohd. Karimullaha filed a letter dated 3.10.2017 along with set of enclosures at the time of hearing held on 3.10.2017 at New Delhi. The complainant has reiterated his complaint and enclosed copies of FIR in support of his case. The complainant submitted that the respondent is of criminal nature. On 22.01.2017, the respondent attacked him leading to serious head injuries. He has further informed that he has filed a case against the respondent in police station and on 18.02.2017. The Police have registered cases Under Sections 341/323/384/504/506 and the matter is under investigation. The complainant has also enclosed a copy of letter by which the Under Secretary, Governor of Bihar has requested the Superintendent of Police, Madhubani to investigate the matter. A copy of the said communication has been forwarded to the respondents vide Council’s letter dated 12.12.2017. Report from District Magistrate: The District Magistrate, Madhubani, Bihar vide letter dated 4.10.2017 has forwarded a report of Superintendent of Police informing that the cases registered against the respondent Mohd. Samior Rehman under Sections 341/323/384/504/506 are found to be true. The complaint letter No. 170/2017 dated 25.5.2017 against Mr. Rehman has been produced in the Court and the matter is under investigation. A copy of aforesaid letter has been forwarded to the complainant and also to the respondent vide Council’s letter dated 12.12.2017 Report from Inspector General of Police, Patna The Inspector General of Police (Provision), Patna, Bihar, vide letter dated 11.12.2017 has informed that the matter, wherein Mohd. Karimulla (complainant) filed a complaint against Mohd. S. Rehman for hitting him with iron rod and also for extorting Rs. 5000/-, has been investigated by the Superintendent of Police, Madhubani, under Sections 341/323/307/384/504 and 506. He has further submitted that all the allegations against the respondent (Mohd. S. Rehman) under these sections are found to be true and a charge sheet dated 25.5.2017 No. 170/2017 has been filed. The City Police has sent a report dated 3.5.2017 (No. 33/17) in this regard to the Sub Division Officer, Sadar Madhubani, to take action under Section 107. A copy of the report received from the IGP, Patna, was forwarded to the complainant on 12.1.2018. Communication from the respondent The respondent, Shri S. Rehman vide letter dated 18.9.2018 has reiterated his statement and submitted that the complainant is his maternal uncle he had just asked him to return his money. He has further submitted that he is unable to walk and doctor has advised him to rest 4-5 months. He has further requested the Council to acquit him from the present matter. Report of the Inquiry Committee The matter came up for hearing before the Inquiry Committee on 24.9.2018 at New Delhi followed by an adjournment dated 4.10.2017. Mohd. Karimullaha, complainant appeared in person. Shri Rajiv Singh Dy. S.P.