[Watch] Web Channel Editor Detained For ‘Maligning’ Odisha Sprinter Dutee Chand; Know The Serious Charges

Bhubaneswar: Mahila Police here on Friday picked up web channel editor Sudhanshu Sekhar Rout from his office at Jharpada in Odisha capital on a basis of a complaint lodged by Olympian Dutee Chand.

The ace sprinter from Odisha had accused Rout and an RTI activist Pradip Pradhan of mental harassment, criminal intimidation and publishing obscene content.

She alleged that a senior journalist of the news channel demanded money from her for not airing an interview in which her family members reportedly spoke about their personal issues with her.

This had an adverse impact on her performance during the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, she added.

“On the basis of serious allegations brought before Mahila police station, we have detained Sudhanshu Sekhar Raut. We have also seized computers and other material from the accused. We are investigating the complaint. We have detained him at Mahila Police station for questioning,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Umashankar Das.

A case has been registered against them under Sections 292 (obscene and indecent publication), 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 385 (Putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 504 (whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, police sources said.

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Dutee has also filed a Rs 5 crore defamation lawsuit against the duo for maligning her reputation. She accused the social activist of levelling fabricated allegations against her of misusing government funds.​