Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed Maharashtra govt to reply to a petition by an independent journalist seeking police protection as she was facing life threats.Chief justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad were hearing a plea by Sneha Barve, founder editor of Samarth Bharat newspaper and Samarth Bharat Pariwar, a You Tube based channel.On July 4, she was attacked when while reporting on illegal constructions in Manchar near Pune. Barve also sought transfer of probe from Manchar police station to Pune City police station or any other police station and formation of an SIT to investigate allegations in the July 4 FIR registered with Manchar police.At the outset, the judges said Barve will have to pay for protection as per state’s policy and “it is the uniform law across the country.” Senior advocate Mihir Desai with advocate Devyani Kulkarni, for Barve, said she was beaten up very badly when she went to investigate illegal constructions. “I was nearly killed. After that there were further threats,” Desai said. Barve wrote 3 letters to the superintendent of police for protection under the state’s policy. To the judge’s query whether Barve was informed if she is entitled or not to police protection, Desai replied, “They have not said anything to me.”The judges then asked what was the evidence produced in support of the petition such as whether there were witnesses and their statements. Advocates said evidence can be produced by way of affidavits also. Seeking time, Desai said there was a video filmed when Barve was threatened. The judges adjourned the hearing to Sept 29.
