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Punjab HC Takes Strong Exception to Journalist's Arrest for Exposing Real Estate Irregularities

By GeoSquare News Desk · Published 2024-07-01

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken a strong exception to the arrest of a journalist who exposed irregularities in a real estate project. Justice Sandeep Moudgil has sought an explanation from the Punjab Government on the allegations of 'highhandedness and colourable exercise of power' that led to the arrest of Rajinder Singh Taggar, a journalist who published news against a real estate owner.

Taggar was arrested on a complaint filed by N.K. Sharma, who alleged that the journalist made videos with false propaganda that his flats and projects were built on government land with the intention to defame, cause financial loss, and extortion. However, Senior Advocate R.S. Bains argued that Taggar is a journalist who published a news item highlighting the wrongful means adopted by N.K. Sharma Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and Savitri Green-2 Projects, which are being brought up by a politician-cum-renowned builder in District Mohali, usurping government land.

The real owners of the land registered an FIR against N.K. Sharma, who, along with his family members, is alleged to have constituted a fake trust in the name and style of Darbari Lal Foundation International Education Society, encroaching upon 5 bighas and 18 biswas of land that vests in the government.

The senior advocate contended that Taggar is being used as an arm-twisting mode to curb the voice of people through the media at the hands of an influential complainant. Considering the submissions, Justice Moudgil granted interim bail to the journalist.

The court observed that Taggar is behind bars for one month and 23 days, merely for publishing a news item against the complainant and its enterprises, infringing his right to life and liberty in a socialistic welfare state. The matter is listed for July 29 for further consideration.

Information
The Punjab & Haryana High Court is the common high court for the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. It has its headquarters in Chandigarh, the capital of both states.

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