Senior journalist arrest: Invoking Section 111 of BNS unjustified, rules Hyderabad court

The two women journalists were arrested earlier this month for allegedly circulating defamatory content against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: A local court in Hyderabad ruled that invoking Section 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Revathi Pogadadanda, managing director Pulse Digital News Network, and Thanvi Yadav, an employee was unjustified and struck it down.

The two women journalists were arrested earlier this month for allegedly circulating defamatory content against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

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Revathi had allegedly posted a video on her channel showing an elderly farmer making remarks against the Chief Minister. A case was registered against her and the news channel based on a complaint from a Congress worker.

Jakkula Laxman, lawyer for Revathi argued in the court at the time of her being sent to judicial remand that section 111 was grossly disproportionate. “All the other sections invoked carry a maximum punishment of less than seven years. Hence, immediate arrest was not warranted,” Laxman said, alleging that the women were arrested in haste due to political pressure.

As per the order on March 12, additional chief judicial magistrate G Anusha, ruled that invoking section 111 against them was unjustified.

“The essential ingredients of Section 111 of BNS do not attract at this stage as there is no involvement of monetary transactions or other factors mentioned under Section 111,” the court observed.

However, the court maintained other charges under the Information Technology Act and BNS provisions related to creating and circulating false information, stating that the FIR prima facie contained well-founded accusations.

Meanwhile, the bail petition for Revathi and Thanvi Yadav, were heard on Monday. The bail order is expected around evening.