Pune: Journalist Tushar Rajaram Zarekar Assaulted While Pursuing News in Pimpri Chinchwad
Chakan, 2nd May 2024: A journalist was attacked in Pimpri Chinchwad while pursuing a news story related to the problems faced by citizens in the area due to excavation and subsequent Murum (Powdered Rock) transport. The incident occurred on Wednesday (1st May), at around 6:20 PM in Shelgaon, Khed.
Journalist Tushar Rajaram Zarekar, aged 33 and a resident of Shelgaon, Khed, identified as the victim in this case, has filed a complaint with the Chakan Police Station. The Chakan Police have registered a case against Maruti Shivale, Akash Shivale, and Vishwajeet Dixit in connection with the incident.
According to the police report, on 10th April 2024, journalist Zarekar inquired with the Tehsildar about excavation activities at accused Maruti Shivale’s plot for a news story, considering the disruption caused to locals. On 1st May 2024, Maruti Shivale invited journalist Zarekar to his property, but the encounter turned violent. Despite identifying as a journalist, accused Dixit and Akash Shivale, working for Maruti Shivale, physically assaulted the complainant journalist. Maruti himself allegedly grabbed the complainant to restrain him. During the assault, Maruti Shivale accused the complainant of reporting their activities in their plot to the Tehsildar. The complainant was subjected to verbal abuse, and physical assault including slapping, and detained to prevent him from reporting the incident to the police.
Regarding this, the Chakan police have registered a case against the accused under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), and the relevant sections of the Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act of 2017. Senior Police Inspector Pramod Wagh of Chakan Police Station is investigating this matter further.
