Notably, Sengupta has been covering CBI as a “beat” for the past few years and frequented the Nizam Palace compound in Kolkata where the CBI office is located.
Avishek Sengupta, a reporter with television news channel Republic Bangla has been booked for allegedly impersonating a CBI officer, kidnapping a businessman, and extorting Rs 15 lakh as ransom before releasing him. He has been now suspended by the media house.
“Republic Bangla has suspended from service Avishek Sengupta. Avishek Sengupta was under probation and was not a confirmed employee of Republic Bangla. His probation stands suspended effective 25 May 2021,” the channel said in a tweet.
Republic Bangla has suspended from service Avishek Sengupta. Avishek Sengupta was under probation and was not a confirmed employee of Republic Bangla. His probation stands suspended effective 25 May 2021.
— Republic (@republic) May 26, 2021
The Kolkata police meanwhile is on the hunt for the reporter after an FIR was lodged against him at the Kasba police station in south Kolkata on Monday. Sengupta along with four others allegedly met businessman Ajit Roy Monday posing as CBI officers and took him away claiming that they had arrest warrants against him.
The five had demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore from Roy’s wife but later settled for Rs 15 lakh, before releasing the businessman, according to ThePrint
“Three persons have been arrested. There are more involved,” a senior police officer said, adding that they were conducting raids to arrest Sengupta.
The journalist, Avishek Sengupta, has worked at Republic Bangla as a principal correspondent since its launch earlier this year. He previously worked for TV channels like Onkar News, Bangla Bharat and Calcutta News. According to Republic, Sengupta was on probation.
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Notably, Sengupta has been covering CBI as a “beat” for the past few years and frequented the Nizam Palace compound in Kolkata where the CBI office is located.
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