Hours after his arrest, Bhopal-based independent journalist Kuldeep Singoria was granted bail in an accident and extortion case following protests by journalists on Tuesday. The in-charge of the police station where the FIR was filed has been line-attached amid accusations that Singoria was being framed.
Singoria has earlier worked for prominent outlets like News18 and Dainik Bhaskar and currently writes a column called The Insiders on KhashKhabar.com.
The FIR was filed at Katara Hills police station based on a complaint submitted on March 20. According to the FIR, an SUV allegedly hit a two-wheeler driven by one Sheikh Aqueel near Vivekanand Colony. The complainant, Aqueel, claimed the vehicle’s occupants assaulted him, used abusive language, and demanded Rs 50,000 for vehicle damage. Singoria was arrested late on Monday night under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
On Tuesday, journalists protested outside the police station and near the police headquarters, alleging that Singoria was arbitrarily arrested. Neither did the car mentioned in the FIR belong to him nor was his name mentioned by the complainant, they claimed.
ये राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा के लिए सबसे बड़ा खतरा हैं क्योंकि पेशे से पत्रकार हैं ! जरा पुलिस के।इंतेज़ाम देखिए और FIR पढ़िए मजे की बात फरियादी खुद कह रहा है ऐसा कुछ नहीं हुआ @DrMohanYadav51 @DGP_MP अगर कहीं @PressCouncil_IN है तो देखे @PCITweets @mumbaipressclub pic.twitter.com/5ZRmnoXeAp
— Anurag Dwary (@Anurag_Dwary) March 25, 2025
@DrMohanYadav51 @DGP_MP Is this how law and order works in the state ? Discrepancies in the FIR, hasty action by police and now journo @kuldeepsingoria arrested and sent to jail ? #पत्रकार_को_रिहा_करो https://t.co/Zez6OaeEbg
— Vishnukant (@vishnukant_7) March 25, 2025
Asked about the arrest, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said he was aware of the incident and had directed for necessary action to be taken, according to Sootr. BJP state media cell in-charge Ashish Agrawal had also joined the protest by journalists.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath earlier tweeted a video of the journalists protesting outside Katara Hills police station and said that Singoria was arrested in a “false” case. Nath’s media advisor Piyush Babele claimed Singoria was jailed because he was highlighting instances of corruption in the state.
DCP Sanjay Agrawal told PTI that the in-charge of Katara Hills police station has been line-attached, or removed from field duty.
A sessions court later granted Singoria bail. His phone remained switched off as Newslaundry tried to reach him for comment.
The in-charge of Katara Hills police station could not be reached for comment.
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