Pune: The issue of city journalist being thrashed by a senior police officer was raised in the ongoing session of the State legislative council in Nagpur on Monday. Shiv Sena leader and MLC Neelam Gorhe demanded strict action against the officer.
The leader of the opposition in the house, Dhananjay Mundhe, also supported Gorhe’s demand for a thorough probe in the incident. After this, the chairman of the council, Ramraje Nimbalkar, instructed the State government to take appropriate action.
On Saturday, Dnyanesh Bhukele (24), a news reporter with Marathi daily Loksatta, had gone to cover hunger strike at a tribal students’ hostel in Manjari near Hadapsar. The officials present there did not appreciate him recording the conversations on his mobile phone. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nilesh More of Wanavadi division, who was on bandobast duty, made him sit inside his car and while taking him to the police station slapped him.
At the police station, ACP More allegedly threatened to destroy his career by filing a case against him on charges of obstructing a public servant from discharging his official duty. Later, he made Bhukele delete the audio recording and sign an apology letter stating that he had asked wrong questions.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Pune Union of Working Journalist (PUWJ) held a meeting with Pune Police Commissioner Rashmi Shukla. “The officer should submit an apology and strict action should be taken against him,” said PUWJ president Shailesh Kale.
Police Commissioner Shukla said, “An inquiry is being conducted against the police officer. I will take further action after the report.”
