Tamil Nadu editor arrested over article linking actresses to prostitution

Reporters Without Borders condemns a 7 October police raid on the Tamil daily Dinamalar in Chennai (the capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu) and the arrest of its editor,B. Lenin, over an article about Tamil actresses suspected of prostitution. Charged under the Tamil Nadu Women Harassment Act, he could remain in detention until 21 October. “The police raid on Dinamalar was abusive and disproportionate and B. Lenin’s arrest was not justifiable either,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We urge the judicial authorities to free him on bail without delay and to dismiss the complaint brought by the South India Film Artistes Association. Protecting the presumption of innocence of the actresses is one thing, but abusing the law to punish those who covered their alleged criminal activity is unacceptable.” Dinamalar published a controversial article on 4 October about the alleged involvement of Tamil actresses including Bhuvaneswari in a prostitution ring. Although the newspaper published an apology the next day, representatives of the South India Film Artistes Association filed a complaint under section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Women Harassment Act. Police stormed into Dinamalar’s offices on the evening of 7 October and took the editor off to the police station. He was then taken before a magistrate and placed in detention. According to a press release, he will remain there until 21 October.