CCTV clip adds twist to Ladakh journalists’ ‘bribe claim’, BJP threatens defamation case

After journalists from Jammu and Kashmir's Leh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bribe reporters for politically motivated coverage a new video has emerged showing sealed envelopes being handed over to the scribes at a press conference in Leh’s Hotel Singge Palace. However, News Nation cannot verify the authenticity of the video.

#Video | CCTV clip adds twist to Ladakh journalists’ ‘bribe claim’, BJP threatens defamation case pic.twitter.com/K42jvRNZQO

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 8, 2019

BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa is seen giving envelopes to journalists in presence of Jammu and Kashmir party chief Ravinder Raina.

The state election body has initiated steps to file a First Information Report following the journalists' complaint. The complaint has been sent to the local court and that they are waiting for court directions to file a FIR, officials said.

Earlier, the journalist party had lodged complaints with district election officer Anvy Lavasa as well as the police. However, Raina had refused the claims and threatened to file a defamation suit against the body if they don’t apologize. "The BJP will not tolerate such allegations. It will file a defamation suit in the high court against the press club if it fails to make a public apology," Raina said. He called the move as politically motivated.

Ladakh is witnessing a four-way contest between the BJP’s Tsering Namgyal, who is chief executive councillor of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council; Congress candidate Rigzin Saplbar; Independent Sajjad Hussain, who is supported by the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party; and Congress rebel Asgar Ali Karbalai.