Bengaluru: A case has been registered against a local journalist and his cameraman on a complaint filed by Karnataka minister Tanvir Sait, who was allegedly filmed by the duo watching sleazy pictures on his phone at a public function.
"A case has been registered against the district reporter and cameraman of a news channel based on the complaint by the Minister," senior cop officer SB Patil said. The two have been charged under Indian Penal Code section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace).
Sait, who is the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, landed in a controversy on Thursday after a video footage emerged showing him purportedly watching sleazy pictures on his mobile on stage at a public function to mark Tipu Sultan's anniversary celebrations in Raichur district.
Responding to a question on the case being registered against journalists and action against the minister, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was not aware of the issue. "I will speak to him (Sait)... I'm not defending anyone, what is important is whether the mistake has been committed or not. I don't want innocents to get punished, whoever it is, whichever party the person may belong to," he said.
Asked who has been asked to submit a report, Mr Siddaramaih said, "I will get report from Tanvir Sait, but I will get it inquired. Will not accept the report he submits as it is."
He also said Mr Sait, who spoke to him, has claimed that he was only scrolling through messages received on WhatsApp and someone had posted the pictures there purposefully.
