Freedom of press? Congress supporters attack Republic journalist who was covering the I-T raids on AICC official

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Image Source : The Financial Express

In another shameful incident where Congress and their supporters have indulged in blatant attack and assault on media persons, a Republic TV crew attempting to report the ongoing I-T raids at the residence of an AICC official named SM Moin.

As per reports, a team of I-T officials had raided the South Delhi residence of one SM Moin, a Congress worker who is under the scanner for allegedly receiving Rs 20 crores through hawala money from Bhopal.

The raids were in connection with the multiple raids on the aides and supporters of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamalnath, where the I-T department alleges that over 281 crores were allegedly collected through a well-organised operation.

When senior Congress functionary SM Moin was being raided by I-T officials, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel had also rushed to his residence in South Delhi. It was later reported that the raid at Moin’s residence, a cash book with records of Rs 230 crore, siphoning of more than Rs 242 crores using bogus bills and evidence of more than 80 companies in tax heavens were found in the raids. Income Tax officials also found several unaccounted and benami properties at posh locations in Delhi.

While Republic TV reporter Amit Choudhry was trying to report the raids from the location of Moin’s residence, he was heckled, pushed, abused and assaulted repeatedly by supporters of Moin who were attempting to stop the reporter from doing his job. It is also reported that the mob also attempted to damage the camera and equipment of the media crew.

https://twitter.com/republic/status/1115308543760932865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It is notable here that the person Moin is listed in the official Congress website as an Administrative officer of the party.

As per reports, reporters from other media outlets were attacked too. A female reporter has stated that she was chased away from the location by supporters of Moin who used filthy abuses and misbehaved with her.

The I-T department had raided over 50 locations related to Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath on Sunday. Kamal Nath’s OSD, his brother in law Deepak Puri who is the chairman of Moser Baer group and several other locations in Bhopal, Indore, Delhi, and Goa were raided by over 300 I-T officials.

Documents seized from Deepak Puri’s location have revealed that the Moser Baer group had been involved in converting Rs. 242 crore of money to dollars by raising bogus bills, as reported by News18.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia