ANI reporter caught on camera assaulting woman PTI reporter at political rally in Karnataka

The incident of the ANI correspondent attacking the PTI reporter was caught on camera and was posted by the PTI on their official account on X.

Following the incident, the PTI reporter filed a complaint before the Ramanagara Police and the ANI reporter filed a counter-complaint.

Based on the complaint an FIR has been registered against the ANI reporter.

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The alleged incident

The accused is identified as ANI’s reporter Raghavendra Rao and the victim is Elizabeth Kurian, reporter at PTI.

Detailing about the incident, Elizabeth told South First: “The altercation started when there were some issues while placing the mic during DK Suresh’s political rally. While Suresh was stepping out, security personnel started to push everyone, on the other hand, he appeared to be intentionally pushing me.”

“It is very difficult to explain the situation I was in. He soon started abusing me. He not only pushed me but also groped me and grabbed my T-shirt.”

“Thereafter, he slapped me twice. I wanted to slap him back but I didn’t. However, while retaliating my mic touched his chin, causing a very minor injury. Apart from this, I have not done anything to him. Even the other journalists lashed out at him and questioned his wrongful act,” Elizabeth said

She added that she filed a complaint before the Ramanagara Police.

Meanwhile, ANI’s Naveen Kapoor said that the post by PTI on X was selective and tried to suppress the first attack by the PTI reporter.

“ANI does not in any manner condone or approve of violence by journalists in the field. This post is selective and seeks to supress the first attack by the PTI journalist as per what our reporter tells us,” he wrote on X.

“Our reporter is also filing a First Information Report in relation to the unprovoked attack on him. We trust the legal process to take its course and disclose the complete facts. However, till the investigation process is not completed, the ANI reporter has been suspended,” he added.

ANI does not in any manner condone or approve of violence by journalists in the field. This post is selective and seeks to supress the first attack by the PTI journalist as per what our reporter tells us. Our reporter is also filing a First Information Report in relation to the… https://t.co/nAMEgtRgPx pic.twitter.com/uGCDJBPbZL

— Naveen Kapoor (@IamNaveenKapoor) March 28, 2024

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PTI to file a complaint before NCW

Following an attack on its reporter, PTI is not only filing a police complaint but also registering a case before the National Commission for Women (NCW).

In its post on X, PTI has condemned the attack on their reporter and reiterated that it will go to any lengths to protect its employees.

In the post on X, PTI said: “Abominable behaviour by ANI reporter who physically assaulted and verbally abused with sexual expletives a young PTI female reporter at a press event in Bengaluru today. Does ANI (Smitaprakash) condone such behaviour by its staffer?”

VIDEO | Abominable behaviour by ANI (@ANI) reporter who physically assaulted and verbally abused with sexual expletives a young PTI female reporter at a press event (@DKShivakumar @DKSureshINC) in Bengaluru today. Does ANI (@smitaprakash) condone such behaviour by its staffer?… pic.twitter.com/kZhz8MleoC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 28, 2024

“PTI management and her colleagues are outraged, and condemn this unprovoked violence in the strongest possible terms. PTI will go to any lengths to protect its employees.”

“An FIR is being lodged over the shocking incident, which has left the reporter traumatised. PTI will also file a complaint with the National Commission for Women,” concluded the PTI.

When South First contacted PTI Editor Rajesh Sundaram to get his response on the matter, he replied that PTI CEO Vijay Joshi was the authorised person to comment. We have left queries through an email to the PTI CEO.

However, when South First tried to reach ANI’s Karnataka bureau chief, he did not respond to the calls.

Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, NCW member Khusbhu Sundar demanded action on the matter.

“I vehemently condemn the behaviour of the male journalist who is seen physically and verbally abusing the PTI female journalist in Bengaluru today. Want @smitaprakash to take action immediately,” she said in a post on X.

I vehemently condemn the behavior of the male journalist who is seen physically and verbally abusing the PTI female journalist in Bengaluru today. Want @smitaprakash to take action immediately. https://t.co/6FTDCjc1GE

— KhushbuSundar (Modi ka Parivaar) (@khushsundar) March 28, 2024

The ANI reporter in question took to X to claim the PTI reported verbally abused him and instigated first. The reporter, in the description, claimed he was a “Kannada speaker” and went on to justify his actions.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)