Two Media Personnel Arrested for Extortion in Dharamshala

Dharamshala, July 9, 2024: Two media personnel have been arrested for extorting ₹50,000 each from the chairman of two schools in Dharamshala. An FIR under sections 308(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Police Station SV & ACB Dharamshala. The accused, Mrituanjay, claiming to be a reporter for Khabar Aaj Tak Channel, and Rakesh Bhardwaj, claiming to work for Ajab Gajab News Channel, threatened to publish false and defamatory news about the schools unless paid ₹50,000 each. The complainant reported the matter to the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, which verified the allegations and caught the accused red-handed, recovering ₹25,000 in cash and a ₹25,000 cheque from each. Both individuals have been arrested, and further investigation is ongoing.