Two Men Arrested in Dehradun for Alleged Assault on Journalist
In a concerning incident in Uttarakhand's capital, two individuals were apprehended by police on Saturday evening in connection with an attack on a journalist in the Dalanwala area of Dehradun. The arrests follow an alleged assault that occurred on Friday evening, sparking investigations into the motives behind the violence.
Details of the Incident
The episode unfolded around 6 PM on Friday when Hem Bhatt, who operates an online news portal, was traveling home from his office on a motorcycle. According to police reports, three men riding a scooter allegedly overtook his vehicle and intercepted him on Race Course Road. The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammed Kaif, aged 21, and Mohammed Tabish, aged 20, both residents of Dehradun. Police officials stated that the duo was tracked down and taken into custody based on actionable intelligence. During interrogation, they purportedly claimed that the assault originated from a dispute over overtaking on the road as they were heading towards Race Course Road.
Conflicting Accounts of the Motive
Dehradun SP (city) Pramod Kumar provided insights into the accused's version of events. "They claimed that they had asked Bhatt to give way by blowing the horn, but he did not allow them to overtake. They then allegedly sped past him, stopped their scooter in front of his motorcycle and assaulted him," Kumar explained. This narrative frames the incident as a case of road rage.
However, the victim, Hem Bhatt, has presented a contrasting account. In his formal complaint, Bhatt asserted that the assault was directly linked to his journalistic activities. He reported that the three men verbally abused him and physically attacked him in public view. Furthermore, they allegedly issued threats warning him against publishing any news stories before fleeing the scene.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Following the assault, Bhatt was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Based on his detailed complaint, authorities registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 126(2) for wrongful restraint
- Section 351(3) for criminal intimidation
- Section 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
SP Pramod Kumar confirmed that the investigation remains active, with efforts underway to locate and apprehend the third accused, who is currently evading capture. "A probe is on to nab the remaining accused who is on the run," Kumar stated, emphasizing the commitment to bring all involved parties to justice.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by media professionals and raises questions about safety in public spaces. The conflicting motives—road dispute versus journalistic retaliation—add complexity to the case, which authorities are diligently working to resolve.
