Journalists released on bail: Andhra Govt. orders probe

Nov 14: Despite the demand of united opposition in the assembly to release the two journalists of vernacular dailies in Kurnool district, Reddy government has denied to withdraw the cases against them and ordered for enquiry of the whole episode. The issue kept on rocking the assembly with charges of opposition on the government of suppressing the voice of media because it exposed the corruption in the housing schemes of government.

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Home minister K Jana Reddy told that DIG will investigate the whole matter and will submit his report in a couple of days. Any decision of withdrawal of case will be taken only after the probe. He also clarified that government does not want to harass any person.

This is to be mentioned that two journalists, B Urukundu of the journal ‘Andhra Bhoomi’ and B Sriramulu of ‘Andhra Jyothi’ were arrested on a complaint filed by the district official, housing, P Vijay Kumar. Case was registered against them for cheating and writing stories that harmed the reputation of government and individual officials.

The story telling the same was published in newspaper revealing that village assistant Madduleti approved houses under the scheme in the names of chief minister, state minister M Mareppa and local legislator M Shikha Mani for bribe and also released cement bags.

Scribes have been said to have criminal intent by the police behind securing the document.

Arrest of the journalists has evoked a sharp reaction from journalists and sharp criticism from opposition parties.

Though journalists were released on bail with a personal surety of 10,000 each, decision to take cases against them will be taken only when the probe is over.