Srinagar police on Saturday said it arrested Anantnag based ‘self-styled’ journalist over allegations of rape, blackmailing and extortion of a girl.
In a statement, issued to a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that “Srinagar police yesterday arrested a self-proclaimed journalist Nadeem Ahmed Ganie alias Nadeem Nadu son of Mukhtar Ahmed Ganie of Qazibagh area of Anantnag in a rape case”.
The statement reads that on a complaint received from a girl (name withheld) that the accused lured her through his WhatsApp group made for people seeking help, forced her into a sexual relationship with himself after fraudulently sedating her in course of that help.
“The victim also alleged that the accused took her objectionable pictures after sedating her and used these to blackmail her into forced sexual intercourse many times,” it reads.
It added that the accused also took her gold ornaments in course of blackmailing her.
“Pertinent to mention the lady was a student in an institution in central Kashmir at the time of the occurrence of this crime.”
It further reads that a case under FIR no 50/22 in sections 376,384,506 of IPC has been registered in Women PS Srinagar.
“Investigation into the case is going on to unearth more facts and some more allegations made by the victim in this case. Keeping in view the heinous nature of the crime, a SIT has been constituted headed by DySP Hqs Owais Wani and comprising of DySP PC. Sleet Shah, SHO Women PS, Khalida Parveen, and ASI Mohd Yousuf Shah as members.”
The statement further reads that Srinagar Police assures all its citizens that crime against women will not be tolerated at all and stringent punishment will be given to those involved.
Meanwhile, Global News Service, where Nadu worked, has suspended him after his arrest.
The agency, in its statement, said: “It has come to notice that journalist Nadeem Nadu has been arrested in a case registered with Women’s Police Station, Rambagh, Srinagar. Pending investigations into the case, the organization hereby suspends him from the membership of GNS.”
It further added that the organization would also like to put on record that they or any of their associates do not support/ condone/ justify any crime or any criminal act or any such behaviour which is illegal or immoral, in particular against women.
“The organisation holds the honour and place of women on a high pedestal and seeks to promote the egality of women in all spheres.
As a cautionary word, it is also explicitly stated to our affiliates/ associates/ members that the organisation shall not tolerate and be accountable for anything done by any member which brings the organisation into disrepute,” it read.
