PR/17/09-10-PCI PRESS RELEASE Dated 22.2.2010

The Press Council of India directs U.P. Government to ensure safety of Lakhimpur Khiri based journalist, Samiuddin Neelu.

The Press Council of India met today under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.N. Ray and considered the report of the Fact Finding Committee in the complaint of Shri Samiuddin Neelu, Lakhimpur Khiri (U.P) based Staff Reporter/Correspondent of Amar Ujala, Hindi daily for threats and harassment by the then Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Khiri Ms. N. Padmaja for exposing the misdeeds of the police authorities.

The Press Council also noted that on 4.2.2010 the NHRC had also taken cognizance of the complaint of false implication of the Shri Samiuddin Neelu and recommended compensation of Rs.5 lakh to the victim.

The Press Council while adopting the report of the Fact Finding Committee in toto found sufficient merit in the charges and recommended to the Government of Uttar Pradesh as follows:

1. As the complainant apprehends threat to his life, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh should ensure safety of the life and property of Shri Neelu. The Government should for the next five years review every six months the threat perceptions of the complainant under intimation to the Press Council of India. If some mishappening occurs with this journalist during this time the State Government shall be responsible for the same.

2. Smt. Padmaja, the then SSP, Lakhimpur Kheri should not be given such a posting where she could interfere with press freedom through direct or indirect means. The Fact Finding Committee feels that not only the concerned officers but even the then State Government did not take timely step to stop the harassment of the journalist. They also failed to protect the freedom of the Press when the officers acted in a dictatorial manner. The finding of the Press Council of India may be recorded in the service record of all officers.

3. As accepted by the U.P. Government as a matter of principle if a journalist is arrested for some reasons, he/she should not be handcuffed in keeping with Supreme Court directions and the Press Council of India should be intimated about the arrest of journalist within 24 hours of such arrest.

4. The State Government may ensure compliance with instructions to the police authorities when charges that tantamount to suppressing the freedom of the press are established.

5. The action taken in the matter be intimated to the Council.

6. The Committee recommends that the decision of the Council should be placed in both the Houses of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. It further recommends that the Central Government should also place it before the Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha for Information.

The matter is being taken up with the Central and State Governments for follow up action.