Arrest of scribe under Official Secrets Act leads to outrage

The scribe, Tarakant Dwivedi alias Akela, was arrested for his article in Mumbai Mirror on how the weapons, purchased after the 26/11 terror attacks, were rotting in the armoury due to water leakage in monsoon.

The journalist was booked for trespass and non-bailable offences under the Official Secrets Act, yesterday. Currently he is in the police custody. This is for the first time that a city journalist has been arrested under Official Secrets Act.

The journalists from print and electronic media, who met at Press Club this afternoon, demanded immediate suspension of ACP Anil Mahabole of Mumbai Police who reportedly went to Railway Police lock-up to tell him that 'he wanted to see Akela in jail', although he (Mahabole) had no authority to go there.

The journalists then walked to Mantralaya to meet Home Minister R R Patil. As the minister was not available, they spoke to him over phone and were assured that he would inquire into the matter and by evening take a decision on suspending the concerned policeman.

Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh and Press Club demanded immediate suspension of concerned police officers for arresting Akela. They also demanded dropping of charges against him under the Official Secrets Act, besides an inquiry by an independent body.