Assam: Journo claims molestation allegations 'malicious'

Private news channel scribe Gaurav Jyoti Neog, blamed by Right to Information activist Akhil Gogoi for allegedly instigating the molestation of a girl in Guwahati, said on Sunday that the charges against him were 'malicious and wild'.

"There are allegations levelled against me that I orchestrated the molestation on the girl on GS Road on the night on July 9. I strongly deny and refute the allegations as malicious and wild," he said in a signed statement.

Neog said he had carried out his professional duties as a responsible journalist by asking for a camera unit from his office and filmed the 'nightmarish incident to fulfill the social responsibility of identifying the molesters and get them punished'.

He requested the management of the channel to relieve him of his duties till he was cleared of the charges and said he felt it was his responsibility to enable a free and fair trial.

"I will cooperate with the investigation process ... I would like to come back and join the organisation again with my head held high," he added.

Neog has also resigned from the primary membership of Electronic Media Forum Assam, which was accepted. The channel's Executive Director Nitumoni Saikia said the channel was convinced that Neog was not involved in instigating the molestation.

"We are not trying to protect or shield anyone but we remain committed in our campaign to get the molesters arrested," Saikia said.

The channel had decided to air the shocking visuals of the molestation to enable the viewers to see the ugly face of the molesters and help police to identify and punish them, in which it has been successful, he added.