Controversy Erupts Over Policeman's Arrest in Chhattisgarh

A police inspector in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district was arrested for seizing CCTV footage without authorization. Local journalists accused the police of colluding with the sand mafia to frame four Bastar-based journalists under the NDPS Act. An investigation led to the inspector's suspension and arrest.

A police inspector in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly seizing CCTV footage from a lodge without proper authority, confirmed a senior official. This action follows a complaint by local journalists about the inspector's suspicious conduct related to the arrest of four Bastar-based journalists under the NDPS Act.

The incident began on Sunday when police in Chintoor, Andhra Pradesh, arrested four journalists—Bappi Rai, Dharmendra Singh, Manish Singh, and Nishu Trivedi—after allegedly finding cannabis in their vehicle. A case was filed against six individuals, incorporating these four under the NDPS Act. Journalists claimed the Sukma police, in connivance with the sand mafia, planted cannabis in the journalists' vehicle.

Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan noted that Konta SHO Ajay Sonkar's behavior aroused suspicion, leading to an internal probe. Preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of contractor Chandu and others in the incident. Subsequently, Sonkar was suspended and arrested under sections 324 and 331 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Journalists plan to approach Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, demanding a CBI investigation into the matter.