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Journalist Vinod Verma arrested over sex tape of Chhattisgarh minister

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Vinod Verma

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Police charge the veteran journalist for extortion and blackmail as Opposition parties and mediapersons express shock, say this is an attack on press freedom

Veteran journalist Vinod Verma, who was part of a fact-finding team constituted by the Editors Guild of India which probed cases of alleged intimidation of journalists by the Chhattisgarh government last year, was on Friday arrested from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh on charges of extortion and blackmailing a minister in the Raman Singh-led BJP government.

Verma claimed that the police action against him was because he was in possession of a pen drive that had video footage purportedly showing a senior minister of the Chhattisgarh government in a compromising position with a woman. The senior freelance journalist, who has formerly worked with the BBC Hindi Service and served as digital editor of Amar Ujala, has claimed that he was arrested before he could break the ‘story’ about Chhattisgarh’s PWD, environment and transport minister, Rajesh Moonat.

However, the Chhattisgarh police which nabbed Verma from his residence in Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram with help from their UP counterparts in the wee hours of Friday, refuted the journalist’s claim.

The Chhattisgarh police, which said Verma was arrested on charges of blackmail and extortion, possessed about 500 porn CDs, Rs 2 lakh in cash, a pen drive, a laptop and a diary at his Mahagun Mansion apartment residence in Indirapuram.

Raipur Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Shukla claimed that Verma had also been booked under stringent provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act for possession and attempted circulation of pornographic content. The Raipur SP said that the complainant in the case against Verma was a man named Prakash Bajaj (a member of the Chhattisgarh BJP unit’s working committee).

“Bajaj has lodged a complaint at the Pandri police station (in Raipur, Chhattisgarh) that he was being harassed over phone by an unidentified caller who told him that he had a CD of his master (Chhattisgarh minister Rajesh Moonat),” Shukla told mediapersons.

The police official, however, declined to comment on whether the CDs reportedly recovered from Verma’s possession actually showed Moonat engaging in illicit sexual activity and did not offer any details on the exact nature of the alleged extortion and blackmailing charges being slapped against the senior journalist.

Verma , on his part told mediapersons while he was being taken by the police to the Ghaziabad district court, that the Chhattisgarh government was not happy with him and was trying to frame him under charges of extortion and blackmail.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Verma told journalists that the sex CD purportedly featuring Rajesh Moonat, who happens to be a close aide of Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, was already in the public domain and that he had nothing to do with its production.

The Chhattisgarh police claim that the complainant in the case, Chhattisgarh BJP leader Prakash Bajaj had told them that Verma had threatened to distribute the sex CD “if he was not given what he asked for”.

“During the probe, the police came to know about a shop where the CD in question was copied. The shopkeeper told the police that one Vinod Verma had got 1,000 copies made of the CD,” Raipur SP Shukla said.

As news of Verma’s arrest spread, many senior journalists from the electronic and print media gathered outside the Ghaziabad police station.

In Raipur, inspector general of police Pradeep Gupta told reporters that Verma;s arrest was made because the confiscated CDs could malign the reputation of a prominent person and that the police was trying to obtain his remand to bring him to Raipur for interrogation.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh PWD minister Rajesh Moonat who allegedly features in the sex CD, convened a press conference in Raipur and claimed that the “sex CD is fake” while he requested chief minister Raman Singh to have the matter investigated.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]However, the pre-dawn police action against Verma – a member of the Editors Guild of India – has evoked sharp criticism from the media fraternity and Opposition leaders, many of whom had reached the Ghaziabad court to condemn the arrest or took to social media to term the incident as a reminder of the days of Emergency and a crackdown against journalists who question the 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to his formal arrest and the court granting his custody to the Chhattisgarh police, Verma too posted a series of tweets conceding that he had a sex CD of a Chhattisgarh minister and that journalists were being 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India News

Pawan Khera faces fresh setback as Supreme Court refuses relief in passport row case

Congress leader Pawan Khera faces fresh setback as Supreme Court refuses interim relief and directs him to seek bail from Guwahati High Court.

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Pawan Khera

Congress leader Pawan Khera suffered another legal setback on Friday after the Supreme Court of India declined to extend protection in a case linked to his remarks about Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.

A bench of the apex court refused to interfere with an earlier order that had stayed the transit anticipatory bail granted to Khera by the Telangana High Court. This decision leaves the Congress leader open to possible arrest by Assam Police in connection with the case.

During the hearing, Khera’s counsel sought interim protection, but the court declined the request and advised him to approach the appropriate court in Assam for relief. The bench clarified that the Guwahati High Court should decide any bail plea independently and on its merits.

“Am I a terrorist?” remark during hearing

While seeking protection, Khera’s legal team expressed concern over the urgency of the situation. In court, his counsel remarked, “Am I a terrorist?” highlighting the plea for temporary relief until a fresh bail application could be filed.

The Supreme Court also raised concerns over the submission of incorrect documents during the proceedings, adding another layer to the legal complications faced by the Congress leader.

Case linked to remarks on CM’s wife

The case stems from a press conference held earlier this month, where Khera made allegations regarding the citizenship status and financial assets of the Assam Chief Minister’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

He had claimed that she possessed multiple passports and owned undisclosed overseas properties. These allegations were strongly denied by the Chief Minister’s family, who termed them fabricated and misleading.

Legal battle intensifies

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera temporary transit anticipatory bail, allowing him time to seek relief from a competent court in Assam. However, the Supreme Court stayed that order following a challenge by Assam authorities, escalating the legal battle.

With the latest ruling, Khera is now expected to move the Guwahati High Court for anticipatory bail as the case continues to unfold.

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India News

Congress suspends 5 Haryana MLAs over cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls

Congress suspends five Haryana MLAs for cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections, citing serious indiscipline and anti-party activities.

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The Congress has suspended five of its MLAs in Haryana for cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections, taking disciplinary action over what it described as “anti-party activities”.

The move came after the state unit reviewed the conduct of certain legislators during the polls, where some were found to have voted against the party’s authorised candidate.

Five MLAs suspended after disciplinary process

According to party sources, the MLAs were issued show-cause notices seeking an explanation for their actions. After reviewing their responses, the Congress disciplinary committee recommended suspension.

The decision was approved by the party leadership, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and has been implemented with immediate effect.

Party calls it ‘grave indiscipline’

Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said the action was necessary to uphold party discipline, stressing that defying the official party line during elections weakens organisational unity.

He said the party takes such violations seriously and will continue to act against any form of indiscipline.

Leadership backs strict action

Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda supported the decision, saying it was taken after due consideration.

He noted that while Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an open ballot system, allowing legislators some flexibility, the party retains the authority to initiate internal disciplinary action in cases of deviation.

Background

The action follows cross-voting reported during the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana, which led to internal concerns within the party. The development has highlighted organisational challenges and prompted the leadership to take corrective steps to reinforce discipline.

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India News

Harivansh set to be elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson unopposed

Harivansh is set to be elected unopposed as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman after no opposition nominations were filed before the deadline.

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Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is set to be re-elected to the same post unopposed in the election due to be held later today.
The date has been fixed by the Chairman under the relevant rules governing the conduct of business in the Upper House.
According to sources, the deadline for submitting motions for the election was 12 noon on April 16. A total of five notices were received within the stipulated time, all proposing Harivansh for the post.

Multiple nominations, single candidate
The motions were submitted by members across parties, including Jagat Prakash Nadda, Nitin Nabin, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Jayant Chaudhary, each backed by seconding members.
All five motions explicitly state that Harivansh be chosen as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

No opposition nomination filed

Notably, no motion was submitted by the Opposition before the deadline. This effectively clears the path for a unanimous election, as there is no contest for the position.
As per parliamentary procedure, motions will be taken up one by one. Once any one motion is adopted by the House, the remaining motions will not be put to vote.

Likely to be elected by voice vote
In line with established practice, the first motion — expected to be moved by Nadda — may be adopted through a voice vote. Following this, the Chairman will formally declare Harivansh as elected Deputy Chairman.
After the declaration, Harivansh will be escorted to the Chair by members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches, adhering to parliamentary convention.

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