B.V. SeetaramTwo journalists held by authorities on defamation charges
Country/Topic: India , Date: 06 January 2009 Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Country/Topic: India , Date: 06 January 2009 Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Person(s): B.V. Seetaram
IFJ Calls for Immediate Release of Editor Arrested in India
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed to learn of the arrest of B.V. Seetaram, chairman and chief editor of Chitra Publications, by police in the district of Udupi in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Seetaram, whose principal publication is the evening newspaper, Karavali Ale, published from the adjoining district headquarters town of Mangalore, is reportedly being held on charges of defamation filed two years ago. He was arrested while travelling with his wife through Udupi district by car. The police have also detained his wife who is a director of Chitra Publications.
When produced before a magistrate in Udupi on January 5, Seetaram reportedly refused to move for bail, since there were political forces in his home district that were allegedly intent on causing him harm.
Reports received by the IFJ suggest that the police had no arrest warrant when they took Seetaram into custody.
"We are opposed in principle to criminal defamation laws and the arrest of an editor is a matter of serious concern," said Jacqueline Park, IFJ Director for the Asia Pacific.
The IFJ is informed that Seetaram had in December 2008 lodged a complaint with the Press Council of India (PCI), alleging that there were systematic efforts afoot by political forces in Karnataka, to prevent the distribution of his newspaper on a regular basis.
The PCI has since issued notice to the local authorities, asking them to investigate these complaints.
The IFJ learns that Seetaram and his newspaper have been targeted by the authorities in Karnataka on earlier occasions too. He and his wife were arrested in March 2007 on charges of fomenting animosity on grounds of religion, though the case was not brought to trial.
A few days before Seetaram and his wife were arrested last year, their offices were broken into and valuable assets either destroyed or stolen.
"We understand that some incidents of communal conflict witnessed in Mangalore and its adjoining areas over the last few months have sharply polarised public opinion", said the IFJ Asia Pacific.
"Though Seetaram has been accused of fomenting animosity on grounds of religion, we are informed that he has done little else than name names of those responsible for the recent bouts of violence in the area".
"We urge the local authorities to ensure that the situation is not aggravated by invoking rarely used powers of suppressing the right of free expression through the press".
The IFJ calls for the immediate release of Seetaram and his wife and a full explanation from the Karnataka state police on the motivations behind its most recent acts of persecution against the press.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed to learn of the arrest of B.V. Seetaram, chairman and chief editor of Chitra Publications, by police in the district of Udupi in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Seetaram, whose principal publication is the evening newspaper, Karavali Ale, published from the adjoining district headquarters town of Mangalore, is reportedly being held on charges of defamation filed two years ago. He was arrested while travelling with his wife through Udupi district by car. The police have also detained his wife who is a director of Chitra Publications.
When produced before a magistrate in Udupi on January 5, Seetaram reportedly refused to move for bail, since there were political forces in his home district that were allegedly intent on causing him harm.
Reports received by the IFJ suggest that the police had no arrest warrant when they took Seetaram into custody.
"We are opposed in principle to criminal defamation laws and the arrest of an editor is a matter of serious concern," said Jacqueline Park, IFJ Director for the Asia Pacific.
The IFJ is informed that Seetaram had in December 2008 lodged a complaint with the Press Council of India (PCI), alleging that there were systematic efforts afoot by political forces in Karnataka, to prevent the distribution of his newspaper on a regular basis.
The PCI has since issued notice to the local authorities, asking them to investigate these complaints.
The IFJ learns that Seetaram and his newspaper have been targeted by the authorities in Karnataka on earlier occasions too. He and his wife were arrested in March 2007 on charges of fomenting animosity on grounds of religion, though the case was not brought to trial.
A few days before Seetaram and his wife were arrested last year, their offices were broken into and valuable assets either destroyed or stolen.
"We understand that some incidents of communal conflict witnessed in Mangalore and its adjoining areas over the last few months have sharply polarised public opinion", said the IFJ Asia Pacific.
"Though Seetaram has been accused of fomenting animosity on grounds of religion, we are informed that he has done little else than name names of those responsible for the recent bouts of violence in the area".
"We urge the local authorities to ensure that the situation is not aggravated by invoking rarely used powers of suppressing the right of free expression through the press".
The IFJ calls for the immediate release of Seetaram and his wife and a full explanation from the Karnataka state police on the motivations behind its most recent acts of persecution against the press.
Mr. Seetaram said that he had requested the District Surgeon to give him an extension of two days in the hospital. “Though the District Surgeon agreed to give a week's extension just yesterday, he later changed his mind due to pressure from the Home Minister V.S. Acharya,” he alleged.
He added: “I am weak. I fear for my life.”
Cases
Vikram Hegde, advocate of B.V. Seetaram of “Karavali Ale” said that the latter's bail applications would come up for hearing before the courts of Judicial Magistrate First Class II and III on Friday. Two cases each are registered against him at Bajpe and Mangalore North police stations and two cases each registered in Kavoor and Mangalore Rural police stations.
All these cases have been registered under Sections 153 (A), 153 (B) and 29 (A) of Indian Penal Code. Cases registered under these sections of the IPC are non-bailable, he said. The advocate said that seer of Vajradehi math, Gurupur Rajashekarananda, had filed a complaint against Mr. Seetaram and his wife S. Rohini, managing director of Chitra Publications at Bajpe police station on December 17, 2008.
He added: “I am weak. I fear for my life.”
Cases
Vikram Hegde, advocate of B.V. Seetaram of “Karavali Ale” said that the latter's bail applications would come up for hearing before the courts of Judicial Magistrate First Class II and III on Friday. Two cases each are registered against him at Bajpe and Mangalore North police stations and two cases each registered in Kavoor and Mangalore Rural police stations.
All these cases have been registered under Sections 153 (A), 153 (B) and 29 (A) of Indian Penal Code. Cases registered under these sections of the IPC are non-bailable, he said. The advocate said that seer of Vajradehi math, Gurupur Rajashekarananda, had filed a complaint against Mr. Seetaram and his wife S. Rohini, managing director of Chitra Publications at Bajpe police station on December 17, 2008.
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries.
For further information, contact IFJ Asia-Pacific, tel: +612 9333 0919, e-mail: ifj@ifj-asia.org, or the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200 / 2207, fax: +322 235 2219, e-mail: ernest.sagaga@ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj.org/
5 comments:
Facts Sheet for B V Seetharam
Strange: In the court he always claims that he is neither a journalist, nor an editor! (http://tinyurl.com/7fzvej)
Arrested: 2007(twice)/2008
Cases pending: approx 5
Highest Defaulter in Press club of India (http://presscouncil.nic.in/HOME.HTM, then go to Defaulter, Karnataka)
Job Description for legality sake: Director Chita Publications
Bakra editor to face the cases: Shivaprasad, Ramappa etc.
Supported by: Left leaning mediamembers, naxals, communal organizations like KFD/KSV etc.,
Good tracking of his events in:
http://tinyurl.com/6uzbwf
1. For derogatory articles, B V Seetharma has been issued Non Bailable warrant by Honourable court, police have just carried out the directive of the court. (if you did not know: arrest warrant means, arrest the person and produce before court- order is issued by court, not politicians/hindutva leaders)
2. On previous occasions, BVSeetharam, wriggled out of cases in the court, by simply saying he is not a journalist/ editor, meanwhile his “editors” went missing!
3. Press council: is a spineless organization:To complain against any newspaper on unethical reporting/writing: it requires
a. Transcript of the newspaper in english
b.whole paper (not cutting)
c. copy of the clarification written to the concerned paper
d. proof that the clarification was not published!
when this is the reality, who has the time to go to press council?
Also note that, the person you are now defending is the “biggest” defaulter of Press council of India- not paid fees!
4. Blackmailing, defaming others, if termed as “bold journalism” God save us from these intellectuals.
5. Journos from mainstream media have given up on BVSee long ago. How come only the journalists with a particular leaning only are interested to keep this “BVSee” issue alive
WHEN THE FACT IS: BV SEE HIMSELF REJECTED THE LEGAL OPTION OF SIGNING THE BAIL BOND?
Questions
1. Why local media has disowned B V Seetharam?
2. Why only Naxals, Leftist newspapers like The Hindu, Jehadi organizations like KFD, Rabid missioneries supported by Transparency International are supporting B V Seetharam?
3. Why you do not publish stories of people/ communities affected by the dirty journalism of B V Seetharam?
hahaaha. look at him.
What a waste of time. I don't think anybody should give importance to this toilet paper, sorry newspaper (if it can be called so). Such baseless reporting, without facts. This paper best suits bajji/bonda shops.
it is very sad how every Tom, Dick and Harry start a newspaper and write rubbish. Seetharam, join an old age home. You need help. Serious help.
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