Case against journalists for carrying false reports about IPRC

Pertains to claims of a mysterious explosion on the premises

The Panagudi police have registered a First Information Report against three reporters for allegedly carrying “false news” about Indian Space Research Organisation’s Propulsion Research Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in the district, claiming that a mysterious explosion had taken place in the hyper sensitive complex.

A case has been registered against a Tamil daily reporter at Panagudi and two reporters of a television news channel under Section 469 (Forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 505 (making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquillity) and 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of Indian Penal Code and 67 of Information Technology Act (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form).

Spotting of ‘drone’

Sources in the IPRC said a couple of years ago a few television news channels had aired false reports on “spotting of drones over the high-security complex in the night”.

“Showing a passenger aircraft flying at a high altitude in the night, possibly going to or leaving the Thiruvananthapuram airport, the news went on to trigger panic by saying that the unidentified drone that landed in the nearby jungles was posing a serious threat to the IPRC synthesizing a range of propellants for the satellite launch vehicles. Even though the IPRC administration then denied it after a thorough combing operation was conducted in the suspected areas, the news channels did not carry our version issued against this baseless news. Now, the same news channels have come out with a fake explosion story, which need to be stopped. Hence, a complaint has been filed with the police,” said a senior IPRC official.

Meanwhile, police sources said a set of questionnaire had been prepared which the trio would have to answer. “Besides, the call lists of the reporters’ mobile phones have been prepared to ascertain if anyone from the IPRC was feeding them false news,” said a senior police official.