The duo stands accused of instigating a youth into self-immolation to grab media attention
Two Mehsana-based journalists have been booked under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to abetment of suicide of a 29-year old youth, who recently died after setting himself on fire while protesting against a property dispute in his village.
The incident took place in Unjha town of Mehsana district on August 13. Kalpesh Suthar, 29, allegedly set himself on fire on the Unjha town police station premises while protesting against police atrocities inside the lock-up. He later succumbed to the burn injuries.
Kalpesh was arrested after his stepmother Chandrika had lodged a complaint regarding a dispute between them over their house in Kamli village.
An inquiry was ordered into the incident and it was found that two reporters working with local television channels and had reportedly instigated Suthar to set himself on fire to grab attention of the national media.
Investigating Officer T K Patel said the role of the reporters came to light during investigation. ?The reporters ? Kamlesh Rawal and Mayur Rawal ? are at large even though we had summoned them on August 18.?
The police added that the cellphone records of Kalpesh revealed that on August 13, he was on the Unjha highway with his relative and the journalists were at the Unjha police station when they called him and asked him to go for the self-immolation bid.
According to an eyewitness Bhuraji Thakore, who runs a tea shop within the Unjha police station compound, the duo had told him that Kalpesh was sprinkling kerosene just for their news footage. ?The flames will be later doused,? the absconding journalists had reportedly told Thakore.
Patel said, ?In his dying statement, Kalpesh said he committed suicide due to his stepmother and added that Kamlesh Rawal was with him.?
Patel added that the police are trying to ascertain why Kamlesh mentioned his mother?s name in his dying statement.