Bhopal: Names of several Bhopal-based journalists have emerged in the high-profile honey-trap and extortion racket in Madhya Pradesh. The journalists allegedly having a role in the case, include a resident editor of a Hindi newspaper, a cameraman of a news channel and an owner of a regional satellite TV channel. The journalists were apparently negotiating deals with bureaucrats and honey-trap kingpin Shweta Jain, acting as key conduits, sources said Friday.
On the involvement of journalists in the case, spokesperson for ruling Congress in the state KK Mishra said whoever is involved in the scandal would be booked as soon as evidence is gathered by the special investigation team (SIT).
Mishra, considered close to Chief Minister Kamal Nath, was the first to highlight the involvement of journalists. “As far as I know, a few journalists, close to bureaucrats, negotiated deals on behalf of the officials. They were not directly involved with the accused, arrested in the case,” Mishra told reporters.
Earlier, BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that he has specific information about three-four journalists who were involved in the blackmailing scandal. The SIT has not yet denied Vijarvargiya’s allegation about the involvement of journalists in a case which has rocked Madhya Pradesh.
On the role of a few journalists in the scandal, editor-in-chief of a prominent Hindi daily published from Indore, Hemant Sharma said for years a small group of journalists in the state capital have been found engaged in striking such shady deals.
“Actually it is a small bunch of so-called journalists, who move in the corridors of power with the sole purpose of extorting money from bureaucrats or politicians involved in corrupt practices. However, as of now, SIT has not named anyone (journalist). I can only say that Shweta and Aarti, used a few journalists in negotiating deals with the bureaucrats or ministers,” said Hemant Sharma.
IANS