Press body condemns Bengal police FIR over ‘Maktoob Media’ report about MP’s allegations

The Press Club of India on Saturday condemned the West Bengal Police’s action to register a first information report in connection with a Maktoob Media report that Muslim administrative and police officers were allegedly being excluded from meetings during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visits to the state.

The press body urged the police to withdraw the FIR and immediately and “ensure that journalists are able to do their job without fear”.

The FIR was registered on September 19 and mentioned social media posts by Maktoob Media that were based on allegations raised by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra that Muslim Indian Police Service and Indian Administrative Service officers were being discriminated against.Tweet does not exist

No Maktoob Media reporters or editors were named in the FIR. It listed the accused person as “Unknown1”.

The complainant, identified as Saurav Banerjee, had alleged that the social media posts contained “objectionable graphical content” and remarks capable of promoting enmity and disturbing public tranquillity.

Maktoob Media said on Thursday that the police had not informed the outlet about the FIR. It learnt of the case after social media platform X communicated to it that the police had sought details about the account creation, login and device details for the handle @MaktoobMedia.

On Saturday, the Press Club of India stated that the West Bengal Police action cannot be...

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