Mumbai journalists want action against errant cops

Home minister RR Patil’s assurance to take strong action against officials with vested interests in the arrest of reporter Tarakant Dwivedi alias Akela failed to convince other journalists. Press organisations that have been demanding immediate action, will meet again on Monday.

Various city journalist associations met Patil on Thursday, demanding withdrawal of the charges. It was brought to his notice that the rivalry between two groups of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) led to the arrest of Akela, who had exposed the ill-maintained armoury of the railway police. ACP Anil Mahabole and ACP Bapu Thumbare allegedly threatened the scribe in custody.

“There was no need of booking the reporter under the Official Secret Act. We will write to the centre to investigate if the arrest was initiated due to rivalry,” said Patil.