Assaulted Mumbai TV journalist calls attack ‘pre-planned’

MUMBAI: A TV journalist, who was allegedly assaulted by unidentified persons near his house in south Mumbai early on Sunday, has termed the attack “pre-planned”.

Herman Gomes, working with a private television channel, was returning home along with a friend in a taxi late Saturday night.

When he got out of the cab around 1.30 am Sunday, he saw four to six persons waiting near his house in the Gamdevi area, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-ii) Dnyaneshwar Chavan said.

The persons started abusing Gomes and later allegedly assaulted him, he said.

Gomes told reporters that it was clearly a “pre-planned” attack as those involved had come prepared, pointing out that the attackers had a knuckle-duster as well.

“They hit me in my eyes, which caused bleeding. I have received six stitches around my eyes. They also attacked my friend,” he said.

Chavan said based on Gome's complaint, the Gamdevi police later registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 324 (voluntary causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and other relevant provisions.

The motive behind the attack is not yet known, he said, adding that the matter is being investigated.

Gomes, in a Facebook post, said, “I always mind my business and do stories that I believe in. I don't know which story (of mine) affected these people so much. I don't know these people.”

Journalists' associations in the city condemned the attack and alleged that police did not file the victim's complaint promptly.

The Mumbai Press Club termed the attack on Gomes a “dastardly act”.

An association of crime reporters in the city, in a statement, demanded immediate arrest of the assailants.

It urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action against the police officers who allegedly delayed registration of the First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.

Reacting to the incident, Minister of State Home (Urban), Ranjit Patil, tweeted, “Discussed the attack that happened in the Gaondevi Police station area on journalist Herman Gomes with officials. Investigations are going on and correct steps will be taken in the direction.”