Gauhati HC Denies Pre-Arrest Bail To Reporter Accused Of Extorting Money From Doctor For Not Publishing Adverse News About Covid-19 Vaccination

The Gauhati High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a Press Reporter who allegedly threatened the District Immunization Officer of Assam's Dibrugarh of publishing an adverse news report, stating that a person was administered two Covid-19 vaccine doses on the same day instead of one, if the latter failed to pay money to him.

"A serious allegation has been raised by the informant," the Court observed at the outset.

The allegation against the reporter was that he demanded a sum of Rs. 30,000 from the Immunization Officer for not publishing such a news report.

"In view of the nature of allegation and the complicity of the petitioner, this Court is of the opinion that it is not a fit case to grant the privilege of pre-arrest bail. Accordingly the same is rejected," Justice Rumi Kumari Phukan ordered.

It was also alleged that initially, the reporter was given Rs.20,000 by the Immunization Officer for not publishing the news report. However, the Officer lodged an FIR after the reporter continued threatening him and insisting upon paying more.

The anticipatory bail plea was accordingly rejected by the Court after noting that the Immunization Officer and other witnesses have been examined in the matter and that they had supported the allegation raised in the FIR.

Case Title: IMRAN ALI v. THE STATE OF ASSAM

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