The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) expresses deep concern over the recent police action against Ahmedabad-based senior journalist Mahesh Langa, a staffer with The Hindu. Langa faces multiple FIRs, including one filed on October 22 for alleged possession of confidential documents related to the Gujarat Maritime Board. Journalist Mahesh Langa now faces new legal challenges when the Detection of Crime Branch in Ahmedabad registered another FIR against him for allegedly cheating a businessman out of Rs 31 lakh. This marked the third FIR lodged against Langa within three weeks.
He was placed in judicial custody last week after his remand in a GST evasion case concluded. A second FIR was filed on Tuesday night (October 23, 2024) at Sector 7 police station in Gandhinagar. This FIR, deemed “sensitive,” is restricted from public access. Mr. Langa was initially arrested by the Ahmedabad crime branch on October 8, accused of involvement in a network of companies allegedly evading the Goods and Services Tax. He is currently incarcerated at Sabarmati Central Jail.
While the authorities claim the cases against Mr. Langa are linked to fraudulent transactions involving a company allegedly associated with his wife and brother, the circumstances surrounding the investigation raise serious concerns.
Langa is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Hindu with over 20 years of experience reporting on Gujarat’s political and social issues, and a well-known critic of the government.
These actions represent a troubling escalation in the misuse of legal mechanisms to harass and intimidate members of the press, threatening the core of press freedom and undermining journalism’s critical role in upholding transparency and accountability.
The very nature of journalism requires reporters to access and analyse documents of various kinds to inform the public responsibly. By criminalising the possession of documents, this case endangers journalists’ ability to report on matters of public interest. It could also jeopardise sources or undermine their trust in journalists.
This tactic risks setting a dangerous precedent, where journalists may face similar repercussions simply for obtaining information essential to their reporting, an approach that strikes at the heart of democratic accountability and the public’s right to information.
Furthermore, the targeting of Mr. Langa for activities integral to his professional duty suggests an attempt to intimidate and restrict journalistic inquiry. Such measures, if allowed to stand, threaten to create a climate of fear that deters journalists from fulfilling their essential role in society. The freedom of the press is foundational to democracy, and any attempt to erode this freedom represents an attack not just on individual journalists but on public transparency and informed citizenry.
NWMI calls for:
- A swift, transparent, and fair investigation, ensuring the legal process is not weaponised against Langa and other journalists;
- A reaffirmation from the authorities that Langa’s arrest is not an attempt to penalise him for his journalism;
- Immediate safeguards against further harassment to guarantee that journalists can operate freely without fear of reprisals.
- Additionally, we urge the Press Council of India to intervene and fulfil its mandate of protecting the independence and freedom of the press. This incident demands a strong and unified response from media bodies, as its implications extend beyond one individual to all members of the journalistic community committed to serving the public.
This misuse of legal authority to target the press is unacceptable and must be countered to preserve the integrity of journalism in India. The NWMI stands firmly with Mr. Langa and all journalists who are being targeted unjustly for their pursuit of truth.
The Network of Women in Media, India
30 October 2024
