The Special Investigation Team investigating the Anna University sexual assault case has seized the mobile phones of at least four journalists who had downloaded the First Information Report pertaining to the case. Seven other journalists have been called in for questioning, according to reports. The SIT is investigating the ‘leak’ of the FIR, which led to the disclosure of the survivor’s identity. Condemning the move, the Chennai Press Club said that the journalists were being treated as accused.
On December 23, a student of Anna University was sexually assaulted on campus. The accused was identified as a biriyani-shop owner called Gnanasekaran. He was also accused of filming the assault and blackmailing the survivor.
The Madras High Court which took suo-moto cognisance of the case had constituted an SIT to investigate both the sexual assault case and the leak of the FIR. The court had also directed disciplinary proceedings against officials who were responsible for the leak and recommended appropriate action against Chennai Commissioner of Police A Arun.
On December 28, the Madras High Court ordered the constitution of an SIT composed of women IPS officers to investigate both the sexual assault and the FIR leak. The SIT comprises Bhukya Sneha Priya, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar; Ayman Jamal, DCP (Law and Order), Avadi; and S Brinda, DCP, Salem City (North).
Following this, the SIT has summoned journalists working for Thanthi TV, DT Next, One India News, and Kumudam to record their statements and submit relevant details pertaining to the case.
Speaking to TNM, a journalist who had appeared before the SIT said that police asked him to reveal his sources in the case. “The questionnaire had 58 questions. Most of them were personal in nature such as, ‘How many wives do you have?’, ‘What is your bank balance?’ And ‘How much gold do you have?’ The tone and tenor of the SIT was to indict journalists for accessing the FIR,” he added.
These journalists had downloaded the FIR from the Tamil Nadu police website. Normally, police stations across the country upload FIRs for public view. FIRs of crimes that are sensitive in nature – such as sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism, or offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act – however, cannot be made available for public view. At the time, the Chennai Police had said the FIR was available on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems portal due to a ‘technical glitch’.
Chennai Press Club slams SIT
The Chennai Press Club has strongly criticised the SIT’s actions, particularly the seizure of journalists’ mobile phones and their alleged mistreatment. In a statement, the press club accused the SIT of violating Supreme Court orders by issuing summons via WhatsApp.
“Despite this, out of respect for the law, the journalists appeared before the police in person. They were subjected to long waiting periods, treated like accused persons, and faced unrelated questioning,” the statement read.
“Seizing journalists’ phones is an attempt to curb press freedom and intimidate reporters. It also disrupts their ability to protect confidential sources, which they have cultivated over years of work.”
The press club urged the police to stop “harassing and intimidating law-abiding journalists who are cooperating with the investigation” and demanded the immediate return of all seized mobile phones and electronic items.
Madras HC refuses to intervene
The Madras High Court has refused to intervene on behalf of the harassed journalists, directing them to approach the Supreme Court instead. “Whatever we had to say, we said it in our order regarding constituting a SIT to investigate the sexual assault case as well as the FIR leak case. Now, the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. We can’t do anything now,” the high court reportedly said.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government had filed a special leave petition at the Supreme Court, seeking the court’s directions to remove certain scathing observations made by the Madras High Court against the Chennai Police.
The Supreme Court on January 27, had stayed observations made by the High Court including direction to conduct a departmental inquiry over the FIR leak and the decision to initiate proceedings against the officials responsible for the lapses.
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