Police question journalist, seize phone in alleged TVK MLA bribery case
Chennai Police have questioned a senior journalist with a Tamil news channel and seized his mobile phone for forensic analysis as part of an investigation
Chennai Police have questioned a senior journalist with a Tamil news channel and seized his mobile phone for forensic analysis as part of an investigation into an alleged attempt to bribe a ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA to vote against the government during a proposed no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker. The action follows a complaint by Uthangarai MLA N Elaiyaraja, who claimed that he was offered Rs 35 crore to vote against the ruling dispensation. Read Full Story Police said the journalist, identified as Vijayan, senior news editor at Puthiya Thalaimurai Television, was examined over two days after investigators found he had exchanged "objectionable electronic communications" with the arrested accused, Thirunavukkarasu, and had remained in contact with him during the period of the alleged conspiracy.
According to a police release issued late on Thursday, Thirunavukkarasu, a YouTuber from Chennai's Arumbakkam who runs the opinion polling organisation IPDS, along with several others, attempted to influence Elaiyaraja to vote against the TVK in exchange for Rs 35 crore. The MLA also claimed that he and his family received threats after he rejected the offer. Police claimed their investigation uncovered a conspiracy, code-named "Meghalaya Project", aimed at influencing around 15 TVK legislators through monetary inducements to destabilise the elected government. Investigators said digital and documentary evidence showed that Vijayan had communicated with Thirunavukkarasu during the period of the conspiracy.
Based on these findings, he was summoned, appeared before the investigating officer on July 15 and 16, and his statement was recorded. His mobile phone was subsequently seized and sent for cyber forensic examination, while he has been asked to join the investigation whenever required. The Chennai Press Club condemned the police action, describing the summoning of the journalist and seizure of his phone as an "oppressive action against freedom of expression". While acknowledging the police's authority to question individuals during an investigation, it said such powers must be exercised strictly within the bounds of law. The press body also urged Chief Minister C.
Joseph Vijay to intervene and ensure the journalist's mobile phone was returned, while calling on the government to ensure that journalists are not subjected to intimidation under the guise of investigation. The case centres on Elaiyaraja's allegations of a bribery attempt, the police probe into the "Meghalaya Project", and the questioning of the television journalist over his reported contacts with the arrested accused. Ends
The BriefWire