The News Editor of Captain TV, a Tamil channel founded by actor-politician Vijayakant, was arrested here early on Sunday on charges of harassing a woman, former employee.
S. Dhineshkumar (26), the accused, was picked up from his residence at Vanagaram here by the Maduravoyal police following a complaint lodged by a former employee. Police said Dhineshkumar, News Editor of Captain News (24x7), works with the channel, which is also the mouthpiece of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
He had allegedly harassed a 27-year-old woman when she worked under him as Sub-Editor from October 2 to November 11, 2013.
“The complainant has stated that Dhineshkumar abused her at work and repeatedly insulted her in front of co-workers. The victim claimed that he demoted her by transferring her from the desk to take care of TV news scrolls and later recommended her dismissal stating that she was incompetent,” said an investigating officer attached to the Maduravoyal police.
Around 1 a.m. a police team arrested Dhineshkumar from his residence in Porur Garden, Vanagaram.
He was booked under Section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998.
He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.
In a statement to the media, a Captain TV spokesperson stated that the woman’s complaint was false and Dhineshkumar’s arrest was driven by police vendetta.
On December 2, the News Editor had initiated a strong protest against the actions of the city police after a Captain TV crew, including a woman reporter, were assaulted by some persons following an altercation in a petrol bunk.
Mediapersons, including Dhineshkumar, staged a road roko demanding the arrest of the assailants.
