Journalists who call up gangsters and telecast the conversation as 'interviews' on news channels can be booked for aiding and abetting activities of criminal syndicates, the Mumbai police has warned.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria on Monday said the department is seriously considering taking action against those behind an over 30-minute interview of gangster Bunty Pandey telecast last week.
"Pandey had tried desperately to get in touch with a film star. In spite of that, someone from the media calls Pandey and telecasts the conversation wherein the gangster threatens the actor," he said.
Police had sought legal opinion on the matter after the interview was telecast on a private channel.
"The news channels provide platforms for lesser-known gangsters. The gangster's name becomes known and he calls up others for extortion purposes. We have got replies from legal experts saying we can prosecute the journalists for aiding and abetting underworld elements," he said.
Maria said Pandey is wanted in several cases, including murder.
"Pandey was associated with the Chhota Rajan gang and was involved in the shooting of 1993 serial blasts accused (Hanif) Kadawala and owner of M K Builders," he said.
"Pandey has become active for the last two months. He claimed responsibility for a Navi Mumbai corporator's murder and now has come the extortion threat to the actor."
Though such instances (of interviews being run on TV) had happened earlier, we have decided to be strict this time around. Journalists must play a constructive role for the good of society," Maria said.
