Free Chhattisgarh journalist immediately, says Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday continued to demand immediate release of journalist Vinod Verma, who has been arrested by the Chhattisgarh police for suspected blackmailing and extortion in connection with a “sex CD”, allegedly involving a state minister.

The party also demanded the resignation of the Chhattisgarh minister, “whose sex scandal Mr Verma was investigating”, and pitched for an independent probe into the entire episode.

“The Congress demands that Verma is released immediately and the entire episode is probed. We also demand the resignation of the Chhattisgarh minister,” Congress leader Pawan Khera said. He said Mr Verma was arrested even though no FIR was lodged against him and added that the Chhattisgarh minister concerned too had not stated that the journalist blackmailed or threatened him. “Is it a crime if Verma was investigating a sex scandal involving a BJP minister?,” the Congress leader asked.

He accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Chhattisgarh of attacking mediapersons.