Journalist detained, phone seized over messages linked to TVK MLA poaching claim
A senior journalist from a leading regional television channel was detained and questioned by the Chennai police for two days in connection with the ongoing
A senior journalist from a leading regional television channel was detained and questioned by the Chennai police for two days in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged "Operation Meghalaya" conspiracy. Police said the journalist, Vijayan, was questioned after investigators found alleged communication between him and the prime accused, Thirunavukkarasu. His mobile phone has also been seized for forensic examination as part of the probe. Read Full Story According to the police, Vijayan allegedly exchanged objectionable messages with Thirunavukkarasu, who is accused of orchestrating an alleged bid to engineer defections from the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Investigators are examining the communications to determine whether they have any relevance to the larger conspiracy. The case relates to the alleged "Operation Meghalaya", which police claim involved a Rs 35-crore plot to persuade 15 TVK MLAs to vote against the Speaker's resolution in an attempt to destabilise the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Thirunavukkarasu has been identified as the principal accused, while 12 people have been arrested so far. Police have also linked the alleged conspiracy to certain DMK leaders, allegations rejected by the opposition party.
The journalist's detention triggered a strong response from DMK MP Kanimozhi, who accused the TVK government of misusing the investigation to target journalists and political opponents. She criticised the seizure of Vijayan's mobile phone and his detention, describing the action as arbitrary and politically motivated. “The act of the TVK government’s police force, which, under the guise of an investigation, has arbitrarily seized journalist Vijayan’s mobile phone and detained him at the police station, is strongly condemnable,” she said in a tweet.
Calling the move an attack on press freedom, she demanded Vijayan's immediate release and urged the government not to use investigative agencies to intimidate journalists. Police, however, maintain that the questioning is part of the ongoing investigation and that legal procedures are being followed. Ends
The BriefWire