High-level probe ordered in mediamen assault case in Jaipur

Jaipur, Apr 5 (UNI) Mediapersons here ended the boycott of the Assembly proceedings after being assured of a high-level probe into the matter of assault of a TV journalist investigating alleged cases of female foeticide in a private nursing home.

State home minister Gulab Chand Kataria has constituted a committee under Divisional Commissioner to probe the matter as the issue found echo in the Vidhan Sabha after the Opposition Congress took up the matter.

A private TV channel reporter Sripal Shaktawat was shooting a sting operation yesterday at a private nursing home in Jhotwara area, which is alleged to be indulging and encouraging female foeticide, when he was allegedly beaten up by the doctors present there. Police instead of intervening to holp Shaktawat, allegedly mibehaved with him.

Mediamen allege involvement of top police officials in the scandal, claiming SP Vishal Bansal has close relations with the doctors of Deep Hospital, charged with involvement in female foeticide and illegal abortions.

Meanwhile, incharge of Jhotwara police station Virendra Meena, who misbehaved with mediamen, has been transfered by the IG O P Malhotra.

In the sting operation, a lady reporter posing as a patient reached the nursing home and was consulting the doctors, when the hospital authorities, sensing something wrong, broke the camera and manhandled the reporter. When she somehow managed to inform her colleague Shaktawat, he was also assaulted.

The police at Jhotwara police station manhandled and put the reporters behind bars. When other mediamen gathered to protest, IG Malhotra and SP Vishal Bansal arrived and ordered all mediamen to be evicted from the premises.

However, the doctors concerned-- Dr Rekha Gupta, Dr Amita and Dr Sadhna-- have lodged a case of blackmail against Shaktawat, saying he asked for Rs 10 lakh for not airing the video.

Shaktawat, meanwhile, has filed a case of wrongful confinement by the nursing home authorities.

Rajasthan has one of the lowest sex ratios in the country (922 girls per 1000 boys.) UNI RRT VD KP1638