Earlier this week, a Gujarat sessions court granted anticipatory bail to The Hindu journalist Mahesh Langa in connection with an extortion case filed last month, Live Law reported.
Langa, who is currently in Sabarmati jail in connection with cases of alleged fraud, was booked on January 23 for purportedly extorting Rs 40 lakh from a real estate agent. This was the fifth case lodged against the journalist.
The case in question is based on a complaint made by release estate agent Janak Thakore. The complainant had alleged that Langa allegedly extorted Rs 40 lakh from him over a time, and threatened to use his “influence” against Thakor if he did not comply.
According to Live Law, Langa’s counsel argued in the court that his client had not received any money from the complainant, and that he had been falsely implicated in the FIR. He further contended that the police had not recovered the amount in question from Langa, and alleged the FIR was filed without a preliminary probe.
Granting anticipatory bail to Langa on February 11, the court said that in the event of Langa’s arrest in the matter, he shall be released on furnishing a surety bond on Rs 15,000.
Cases against Langa
Langa was first booked by the Ahmedabad police's crime branch in an alleged GST scam in October 2024. According to FIR, multiple individuals and organizations, including a firm reportedly owned by Langa’s cousin, were involved in a network of 200 entities that allegedly engaged in fraudulent transactions to avoid taxes.
In the same month, Langa was slapped with another case, this time filed by the Gandhinagar police on theft charges, after official documents were reportedly found from his residence during a raid.
Later, Langa was charged with cheating by the Ahmedabad police, and in December, the Rajkot police booked him in another case of alleged GST evasion. Though Langa was granted bail by the Gujarat High Court in the GST scam case, he remains in jail related to other ongoing cases.
Several press organisations had criticised the second FIR against Langa and had urged the Press Council of India to protect press freedom.
Newslaundry reported in detail on the cases against Langa. Why didn’t local journalists speak up in support of him in the face of so much police action? Read our report to find out.
In times of misinformation, you need news you can trust. We’ve got you covered. Subscribe to Newslaundry and power our work.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
