Screengrab from viral video.
Pune: In Maharashtra’s Pune, a female journalist was attacked by goons, brutally beating her with rods, while she was reporting an illegal construction activity on a riverbed, Maktoob Media reported.
The journalist was identified as Sneha Barve, and a video of the assault, which happened in Manchar town of Pune on July 4, went viral on social media. Barve is the editor of Samarth Bharat newspaper and SBP YouTube channel. In the video, she could be seen on the ground when a few men assaulted her and injured her.
The video shows her crying for help, and when bystanders attempted to help, they were also beaten. The attackers stopped beating her only after she lost consciousness.
According to the complainant in the incident, Barve was documenting the site when the accused Pandurang Morde, his sons Prashant and Nilesh Morde and a group of eight to nine men armed with wooden sticks and plastic canes attacked her.
The assailants also threatened to kill her.
Based on the complaint filed by Sudhakar Baburao Kale, Manchar Police registered a case against the accused. However, there are allegations that since the accused is a close acquaintance of the ruling Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP, the accused were charged only with weak offences. The FIR included BNS sections 118 (2), 115 (2), 189 (2), 191 (2), 190 and 351 (2), charging retaining to grievous hurt, intimidation, unlawful assembly and intimidation. These charges would attract a maximum punishment of one to two years only.
The accused, Morde, has a criminal record and is already out on bail for a case of attempted murder. He is now admitted to hospital with an alleged fracture.