Mumbai: Four arrested for assaulting journalist Herman Gomes

Four persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a television journalist near his house in south Mumbai, police said on Monday, October 15.

Herman Gomes, working with Times Now, was returning home along with a friend in a taxi on Sunday, October 14, when he saw four to six men waiting near his house in Gamdevi area.

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

The men started abusing Gomes and later allegedly assaulted him and also hit his friend, as per the victim.

Gomes was injured in the attack and later received six stitches near his eyes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone-II) Dnyaneshwar Chavan, said prima facie it appears the incident might have taken place in the heat of the moment following some argument.

"However, we are trying to go into the depth of the matter," he said, adding, the accused do not have any criminal background.

Based on Gomes' complaint, the Gamdevi Police had registered a case under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and other relevant provisions.

The accused, all city residents aged between 20 and 25 years, were nabbed late on Sunday, October 14, night from Tardeo area, a senior police official said.

Herman Gomes posted about the attack on his Twitter page.

Journalists' associations in the city had on Sunday, October 15, 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 have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action against police officers who allegedly delayed registration of the First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.

Minister of State for Home (urban), Ranjit Patil had later said an investigation was on into the incident and "correct steps will be taken in the direction".

He 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.

(with inputs from agencies)