All three journalists of Ballia arrested in the paper leak case of UP Board exam got bail
Three journalists Ajit Kumar Ojha, Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta, who were arrested for allegedly writing about the leak of the UP Board’s Intermediate English question paper, got bail on Monday. On Tuesday, the three journalists were also released from jail. Journalists Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta got bail only a week ago. Ajit Kumar Ojha was also granted bail earlier in two cases. Ojha also got bail in the third case on Monday from the District and Sessions Court.
On the other hand, the United Journalist Sangharsh Morcha has decided to continue the agitation till action is taken against the responsible officers including DM-SP in this matter. The Morcha has said that the gradual fast going on from April 11 at the DM’s office will continue and there will be a Jail Bharo movement on April 30 as announced earlier.
Uttar Pradesh Board’s Intermediate English exam paper was leaked on March 30. After this, the Intermediate English examination was canceled in 24 districts. In this case, the District School Inspector of Ballia was arrested after being suspended.
Earlier, there was also news of paper leak of High School Sanskrit in Ballia, but the administration said that the paper has not leaked. Three journalists – Ajit Kumar Ojha, Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta were also arrested by the police making them accused in the paper leak case. In this case, Ballia police had arrested more than 30 people.
Journalists Ajit Ojha and Digvijay Singh Amar Ujala and Manoj Gupta are associated with Rashtriya Sahara. Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta used to report from Nagra. An FIR was lodged against both of them in the city police station. An FIR was lodged against Ajit Ojha by the City Magistrate of Ballia. Later, the name of Ajit Ojha was also included in the FIR registered at Nagra and Ubhaon police stations.
On the complaint of City Magistrate Pradeep Kumar in Ballia Kotwali, under Section 420 of IPC, Section 4, 5 and 10 of Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act 1998 and Section 66B of IT Act (Amendment) 2008 against District School Inspector and journalist Ajit Jha. FIR was registered.
The FIR said, “On March 30, the information about the leak of English question paper of the Board of Secondary Education, Allahabad was going viral in the social media. This information is also suspected to have been leaked from the phone of teacher Ajit Ojha and unknown people posted in Haripur Gadwar. As soon as the information about the leak of the question paper went viral, the students started ruckus and sloganeering at the examination centers, due to which the law and order situation was likely to deteriorate.
According to the FIR, ‘In this regard, all the responsible officers, district school inspector, teacher Ajit Ojha and an FIR should be lodged against unknown people. Take necessary action by registering an FIR against some unknown people who are involved in this act with the intention of earning money. Ajit Ojha is also a teacher in Haripur Inter College and correspondent journalist of the newspaper to be published.
Mithilesh Singh, advocate for the three journalists, said that a case was registered against Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta at Nagra police station under IPC 467, 468, 471, 420 and sections 4, 5 and 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act 1998. Apart from Ballia Kotwali, a case was registered against journalist Ajit Ojha under these sections in Nagra and Ubhaon police stations.
He said that after the investigation, the police had removed Section 420 of the IPC, but they could not gather any evidence about their allegations. He told that journalists Digvijay Singh and Manoj Gupta said that even though they have got bail, they would like to be released from jail only when Ajit Ojha gets bail. After completing all the formalities, he has been sent to Azamgarh Jail. It is expected that by Tuesday all the three journalists will be released from jail.
Madhusudan Singh, a prominent member of the United Patrakar Sangharsh Morcha and the provincial chief general secretary of the National Journalists Federation of India, said that our agitation will continue to demand action against DM-SP. Journalists coming out of jail will be welcomed at the agitation site. He told that we are adamant on holding Jail Bharo Andolan on 30 April.
Journalist Digvijay Singh had said at the time of his arrest that he writes in Amar Ujala from Nagra in Ballia district. He is also the Circle President of the National Journalists Association of India. On March 29, he had sent the news of the high school Sanskrit examination paper leak, which was published.
He had told that the next day on March 30, news of the question paper of Intermediate English was also published. He performed his journalistic duties but he, Ajit Kumar Ojha and Manoj Gupta were arrested by the administration to cover up their failure. He also accused the police and administration of harassment and said that copies are being written openly in Nagra, Bhimpura, Belthara area and the administration is unable to stop it. Action has been taken against journalists to hide their inability.
Journalist Ajit Ojha had said that the leaked question paper had gone viral on the internet and he got it from there. In this regard, he also learned his side from the district administration and DIOS and on his demand sent the viral copy of the question paper on WhatsApp, but after some time Ballia Kotwal reached his office and took him away. He told that during this time there was sabotage in the office and scuffles were also done with the associates. After keeping him in custody for several hours in Ballia Kotwali, he was sent to jail.
Journalists protested the same day at Ballia Kotwali against the arrest of three journalists. After that the journalists started a sit-in protest which turned into a gradual fast from April 11. The journalists formed the United Journalist Sangharsh Morcha in which many journalist organizations were involved to run their movement in an organized way.
The movement is being led by this. Students, advocates, political parties including businessmen also demonstrated in support of journalists. Traders’ organizations had called for a Ballia bandh on April 6 in support of journalists, which got widespread support. The effect of the bandh was seen all over Ballia. Demonstrations were held in support of journalists at many places including Deoria, Mau, Azamgarh, Lucknow.
