Arrest of journalist an assault on freedom of press: Congress

New Delhi, Oct 27: Strongly condemning the arrest of journalist Vinod Verma, the Congress on Friday termed it an assault on the freedom of the press. Talking to reporters here, AICC senior spokesperson Ajay Maken said, 'Journalist Vinod Verma has been collecting information about involvement of a Chhattisgarh Minister Rajesh Kumar in a sex scandal. The Chhattisgarh police arrested him from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad.. By doing this the Government has infringed on the freedom of the press.' Pointing out that Mr Verna was a journalist at the level of an editor, Mr Maken said, 'The treatment meted out to him is unfortunate and a matter of concern.' He said it was an insult of the media and demanded his immediate release and a judicial probe into the entire matter. The Chhattisgarh police arrested Verma, former BBC journalist, from his Ghaziabad residence early this morning. Mr Verma is accused of blackmailing a Chhattisgarh minister with a sex CD. He was later taken to Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad for completing formalities. Mr Verma, also a member of Editors Guild of India, is currently working as a freelancer. The arrest has evoked protests from several political parties including Congress and AAP. UNI