Bengaluru: A Mangaluru-based journalist has alleged that journalist-turned politician and Mysuru BJP MP Mr Pratap Simha abused him and ‘threatened to break his limbs’ over a news report published on Friday.
According to Mr Shreyas H.S., reporter working with newskarnataka.com, a news website, on Friday he had published a report based on a Facebook post of Mr Simha related to the conviction of actor Salman Khan. In his FB post on Thursday (May 7), Mr Simha had observed that his (Salman Khan’s) contribution to the industry and the needy outweighs his unintentional, but terrible mistake.
“Everyday 377 people die because of accidents, we need strict implementation of traffic rules. All are talking about Salman, very good! But how many truck drivers are being punished, who rammed and ran over? Treat him like any other brat, don’t hound him just because he is Salman Khan. Punishing just him will never be a deterrent. Let’s pass 2014 Motor Vehicle amendment bill and punish all the guilty. Bash me for this view, But I am speaking my heart out.’
Mr. Shreyas published a report based on this FB post. The title of the report was Don’t hound him just coz he is Salman Khan says MP Prathap Simha in an FB post. Mr. Shreyas shared the story on the Twitter line of Mr Simha who reacted on Twitter stating ‘Idiot, don’t spread falsehood here.’
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Shreyas informed that immediately after the publication of the article he received a call from Mr Simha. “I had called him to obtain his reaction on the news report. He called me and started abusing me. He stated that if I was in front of him he would have broken my hands and legs. He also called me names in filthy language and shouted that he will hit me with his boots,” Mr. Shreyas claimed.
“I know Mr Simha for the last few months. I had interviewed him for a news website too. So we know each other,” he said, adding he had spoken to his advocate Mr Dinesh Hegde and will file a case on the threatening call.
