In connection with the case of alleged rape of a woman by suspended additional secretary, Home, JP Joshi, the special police team arrested a journalist Sanjay Banerjee on Saturday evening and produced him in the court from where Banerjee was sent to 14 days judicial custody on Sunday. A counter FIR lodged was lodged by Joshi against the woman and two other persons, accusing them of blackmail and attempt to extort `3 crore for settlement of this case.
However, after coming out from the court, Banerjee denied any role in this case and said that he is the victim of conspiracy.
State Director General of Police BS Sidhu said that after securing non — bailable warrant from the court against three persons who were involved in the alleged rape case and counter case under sections 355/304 of IPC, several police teams have been deployed at various places including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Nainital and other places and the police succeeded in arresting one of the accused, Sanjay Banerjee from a mall on East Delhi-Ghaziabad border on Saturday evening.
Before arresting him, police had raided several places, including the office of a news channel where he works. DGP expressed hope that police will soon be able to arrest remaining two accused. Several police teams are working to arrest remaining two accused. In view of them procuring transit bail from Nainital High Court, a police team has been deployed in Nainital.
Sources said that Banerjee had demanded extortion of `3 crore from Joshi for the settlement of the case apart from guiding the woman complainant on how to set up camera in the room of Nainital Police guest house while making CD on her and Joshi in compromising position.
Moreover, the district court rejected bail plea of another accused and Samajwadi Party leader. He was produced in the court of Direct judge Ram Singh and his bail application was rejected.
Chauhan has been on judicial remand upto January 1. The police arrested Joshi and later arrested the woman, Neeraj Chauhan, Amit Garg and Shahin Mak Khan for making
extortion calls and indulging in blackmailing while suspended joint secretary (Social Welfare) SS Waldia was arrested for making conspiracy of sex CD to malign Joshi and hamper his promotion prospects.