Date:08/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/08/stories/2007090862441600.htm

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Sting operation: reporter arrested

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi police on Friday arrested the reporter, who allegedly staged a sting operation against Uma Khurana, teacher of the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, showing her pushing a girl student into the flesh trade. Two of his accomplices, including a young woman reporter, have already been arrested.

The Crime Branch arrested Prakash Singh on charges of carrying out the “sting operation” against Uma at the instance of a businessman, Virender Arora, as she owed him over Rs.1 lakh and was not repaying the amount. He has been booked for fabrication of evidence, cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Investigations showed that Virender contacted Prakash in July and allegedly lured him with an “exclusive” story about a woman teacher in a government school involved in the flesh trade.

Prakash was then working with another Hindi television news channel and was attached to the desk that provided news content to an FM channel.

He shared the idea with a programme producer and after having been given the go-ahead, he allegedly called up Uma posing as an exporter and asked for a girl. According to the police, though Uma said she was not in the flesh trade, Prakash allegedly kept pestering her and telling her that she could make quick money through the business.

Uma allegedly landed in the trap when she finally gave in and contacted Virender to arrange a girl for her. Virender allegedly sent the young woman, who later turned out to be Prakash’s friend Rashmi, said to an editor of a small-time newspaper.

After conducting the “sting operation” on July 19, Prakash showed it to his seniors but the channel did not broadcast it because of doubts over the veracity of the operation.

The reporter later joined another Hindi television channel and managed to get the story broadcast on August 30, resulting in large-scale violence on Asaf Ali Road and subsequent arrest of Uma on the basis of the “sting operation.”

Rashmi, who was arrested on Thursday, was produced in a court that on Friday sent her to seven-day judicial custody.

The police have also got the statement of Tej Narayan Tiwari, driver of the car in which the reporter went to conduct the “sting operation,” recorded before a judge under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Virender has already been arrested. The police are seeking legal advice on Uma’s role.

Court issues notice

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to the Delhi government and the police directing them to file replies to press reports about the operation.

A Division Bench comprising Justices M.K. Sharma and Sanjiv Khanna directed them to file the replies by Monday when the matter will be heard further. The Bench issued the notice after Delhi High Court Bar Association president A.S. Chandhioke submitted to it newspaper clippings.