Sudarshan TV's Suresh Chavhanke arrested for inciting communal hatred

Sudarshan TV channel editor Suresh Chavhanke was arrested by Uttar Pradesh police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between religious groups. Chavhanke was arrested from Lucknow airport on Wednesday evening.

Chavhanke has been booked under Sections 153 A(1), 295A and 505(1)B of the Indian Penal Code and also under section 16 of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1955.

It was alleged that Sudarshan channel broadcast a programme in which Suresh Chavhanke had allegedly made several comments that could spoil communal harmony in Sambhal district. The FIR was registered by the SHO when the matter was raised during a meeting of the Peace Committee on April 9, in which citizens pointed out the programme telecast between April 6 to April 8 was enough to stimulate communal stiffness.

According to the citizens, the show ‘Bindaas Bol’, hosted by Chavhanke aired programmes that promoted communal bitterness, resentment between religious groups and could have neagtive impact on friendliness of people of Sambahl district.

On April 10, the police reviewed videos of the programme and concluded that in several of the clips, Chavhanke allegedly made statements spreading “Hindu-Muslim hostility”.

In November last year, a former female employee of the RSS leaning Sudarshan News Network had alleged that Chavhanke raped and molested her besides indulging in criminal intimidation.

According to a report of ‘The Hindu’, Chavhanke is well known for his vocal support to the Hindutva movement, who has often termed other media houses as "jehadi media". His cover picture on Twitter features him with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.