GUJ suspends Samant, seeks action from PTI
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 29 September 2015 21:36 IST
Goa Union of Journalists has suspended Rupesh Samant, a senior journalist facing charges of sexual harassment, from Goa’s premier body of working journalist.
GUJ has also decided to send a letter to Press Trust of India, the national news agency of which Samant is Goa bureau chief, to take appropriate action against him.
A press note issued in this regard stated that the decision was taken at a special meeting of the executive committee convened today.
While suspending his primary membership, GUJ would now send him a show cause notice, seeking reply from him within 15 days, explaining why his membership should not be permanently terminated.
The action is being taken under Section 26 of the constitution of GUJ, stated the press note.
The GUJ would also write to the PTI, informing the prestigious news agency of India the seriousness of the cases of sexual harassment filed against Samant.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer today told goanews.com that Samant would not be arrested simply because the court has not granted him interim relief, while admitting his anticipatory bail application.
The hearing on his application filed yesterday would be held on 6 October.
“The police normally does not arrest any accused when his or her anticipatory bail application is pending before the court,” said the police officer.
Samant is presently facing two complaints of sexual harassment, filed by two women journalists working under him in HCN cable TV channel, in 2012 and 2014, supported by another woman journalist.
Meanwhile, the women police station continued recording statements of various witnesses who have worked with Samant in different media organisations.
The Goa State Women's Commission has moved into action, seeking report of the case from the police.
The GUJ had urged the Commission yesterday to take cognisance of the case.
