Editors Guild condemns Delhi Police move to prosecute two journalists

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): The Editors Guild of India has condemned the move of the Delhi Police to prosecute two journalists who had exposed the cash for questions scam involving Members of Parliament (MPs) through a sting operation.

The Delhi Police have filed a charge sheet naming Aniruddha Bahal and Suhasini Raj of Cobrapost.com.

The journalists had carried out a sting operation in 2005 to prove that some MPs are in the habit of accepting bribes for posing questions to the government, while they are accepted to ask questions only in public interest.

The expose resulted in the expulsion of eleven MPs from Parliament, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Now, the Delhi Police has filed corruption charges against the MPs, but it has decided to shoot the messenger saying that the two journalists have abetted the crime of corruption.

The Guild is perturbed by the charge sheet, as it sends a message that journalists who expose corruption and sleaze in high places would be prosecuted.

The Delhi Police is also putting pressure on the journalists to turn approvers in the case for getting immunity from sentence.

Journalists who expose corruption cannot be accused or approvers.

The Guild demands that the case against the two journalists should be withdrawn, as it infringes on the freedom of the press. (ANI)