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The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police Crime Branch on Monday conducted a raid on the office of the daily newspaper Sambad on the basis of a case registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections- 506, 467, 468, 471, 420, and 120 B following a complaint filed by a former employee of the organisation.
However, the development has triggered a political slugfest in the State.
Hitting out at the ruling party, Opposition BJP alleged that dictatorship prevails in the State.
“The freedom of the media was jeopardised during the time of emergency. A similar kind of situation is now prevailing in the State. A secretary is giving assurances to people to fulfill their demands by visiting various parts of the State like a king. There is no provision like this in democracy,” said senior BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan.
“When someone criticised the government through his editorials, it became vindictive. It’s an example of dictatorship,” said Harichandan.
However, BJD countered the allegations by saying that everything is being done as per the provision in law.
“Nothing has been done to choke the voice of media. Raids are not conducted by keeping a grudge against anybody. The EOW raid was conducted as per the provision in law,” said Revenue Minister Pramila Mallik.
As per EOW, the case has been registered against the editor of the media house, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, HR Head Baijayanti Kar, and others on the basis of the allegations that several employees were forced to take personal loans.
