A reporter of a news channel was today detained by police on the orders of the City Magistrate here, only to be released later after the District Magistrate intervened, following protests by journalists.
"My fault was that I protested against City Magistrate Vijai Kumar when he misbehaved with an aged person during an anti-encroachment drive at Goverdhan crossing on the National Highway," the reporter, identified as Nitin Gautam, alleged.
On orders of the City Magistrate, police took Gautam to Highway police station where he was detained for hours.
As the news spread, several irate journalists staged a dharna and raised slogans outside the police station. Former state Congress Vice-President Kunvar Narendra Singh and some other leaders also reached the protest site.
Leader of Congress Legislative Party Pradeep Mathur discussed the matter with Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar over phone, who then spoke to the District Magistrate.
The dharna was lifted only when the City Magistrate expressed regret after the intervention of the District Magistrate.
Vijai Kumar, however, refusing to comment on the incident, said, "You must be aware of everything. I have no comments to offer".
"The administration is unnecessarily harassing people. I got a road constructed at the place where the anti-encroachment drive was carried out," Mathur said.
