India
Ex-BBC journalist Vinod Verma has broken silence over his arrest and said that it was a political witch-hunt.
Updated : Oct 27, 2017, 02:02 PM IST
Even as ex-BBC journalist Vinod Verma broke silence over his arrest and said that it was a political witch-hunt, the BJP minister in question has slammed the 'proof' and said he was ready for any probe.
While Verma made the sensational claim of 'sex tape of a Chhattisgarh Minister,' Rajesh Munat, the Chhattisgarh minister called it 'fake'.
Sex CD is fake,appeal to the CM to get this investigated from any agency. I condemn this: Rajesh Munat,Chhattisgarh Minister #VinodVerma pic.twitter.com/1B6x4qhUMl
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017
Verma had made the sensational claim as the cops were taking him to the Ghaziabad District Court from Indirapuram Police Station.
Govt of Chhattisgarh is not happy with me. I just have a pen drive, have nothing to do with CD. Clearly, I am being framed: #VinodVerma pic.twitter.com/wTkbHNfaTC
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 27, 2017
Though the police officials were tight-lipped about the material seized from senior journalist's house, Verma openly said that 'arrested as I have sex tape of a BJP leader.'
Investigation is underway, can't reveal the details but contents of the CD violate Section 67 of IT Act: Raipur Police on #VinodVerma case pic.twitter.com/i1eCkYwrPb
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017
Though it is not clear what was the purpose of that sex tape, media reports suggest that Verma was blackmailing the minister.
Initial reports suggest that in a joint operation, police officials from Ghaziabad and Chhatisgarh seized over 300 CDs from Verma's Indirapuram house. They also took away his laptop, pen drive.
A case has been registered against Verma at the Pandri Police Station of Raipur district under sections 384 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.
Journalist #VinodVerma arrested by Chhattisgarh Police on extortion charges being taken to Ghaziabad District court from Indirapuram PS. pic.twitter.com/m1vNdmwAEZ
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 27, 2017
The senior journalist, who is also an executive member of the Editors Guild of India, was part of the fact-finding team looking into the intimidation of journalists in Chhattisgarh.