A local journalist in Narayankhed (TS) has alleged that his house was demolished by the TRS government in Telangana after he reported violation of social distancing norms during birthday celebration of a party MLA.
Narayankhed civic body on Wednesday demolished house of local TV journalist Parmesh.
Speaking to India Today, Parmesh claimed that his house was demolished after he ran a story on local ruling party legislator M Bhupal Reddy having a big birthday celebration during the lockdown on April 7.
He said that he wasn’t even notified by the authorities of building violations.
On April 7, MLA Bhopal Reddy cut a 60-kg cake and celebrated his birthday in a private hall in violation of lockdown norms. Over 500 people reportedly took part in the birthday celebrations.
A PIL has been also filed in Hyderabad High Court and a two-bench judge comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Vijaysen Reddy has sought response from the lawmaker over the issue of lockdown violation by the MLA.
BJP MLC Ramchandra Rao extended support to the journalist. He lashed out at CM KCR and alleged that the lockdown norms aren’t being followed by MLAs of the ruling party. He alleged that the police and administration had become mute spectators to lockdown violations by VIPs linked to the TRS.
Meanwhile, TRS has denied any wrongdoing and hit back at the BJP for politicising the issue.
“The MLA has nothing to do with the incident. Since the house was constructed violating the norms, the local authority went ahead with demolition. If the said journalist has any permission related proof, he should produce and we will ensure proper justice. Our government is not like other BJP-run state governments where journalists are booked under sedition and other serious charges and harassed,” said M Krishank of TRS.
Leave a Reply