In a shameful incident at the stretch of Marive Drive – adjacent to the historic monument of Gateway of India — on Thursday morning, two TV channel journalists were seen abusing each other, even in the presence of public and police personnel.
Pradeep Bhandari, associated with Republic news channel, alleged he was slapped by two journalists, representing ABP and NDTV .
जानते है महाराष्ट्र में सच बोलने की क़ीमत क्या है?
कार्टेल के नामी-गिरामी चेहरे जैसे-जैसे एक्सपोज़ हो रहे है, उनका ग़ुस्सा और बढ़ता जा रहा है।जब पुलिस से भी काम नहीं बना तो आज NDTV और ABP के गुंडे पत्रकारों को मेरे पास हाथपाई करने भेज दिया। लेकिन मैं टूटने वालों में से नहीं हूँ। pic.twitter.com/z2fvH2KkUK— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी) (@pradip103) September 24, 2020
In the video, which has gone viral on Twitter, Bhandari is seen being pushed by a man who also attempts to slap him. The fight broke out before a Mumbai Police team which was trying to stop what looked like an argument. It is unknown what led to the confrontation.
Bhandari later tweeted that “goons” claiming to be associated with two TV channels, slapped him as they were “frustrated” with the exposes in the drug case being pursued by the Narcotics Control Bureau.
However Saurabh Gupta from NDTV has plainly disregarded his allegations in a tweet.
In the face of serious provocation, abuse and misbehaviour from another channel’s representative, the NDTV crew at the spot responded calmly, with no violence or aggression as alleged by Pradeep Bhandhari . The video he himself has tweeted clearly establishes this.
— Saurabh Gupta(Micky) (@MickyGupta84) September 24, 2020
So far no police complaint has been registered by any of the parties.