Amitabh Bachan, and Donald Trump issued e-passes to enter himachal-FIR against journalist spark row

Chandigarh (Aditi) Himachal has issued e-passes which has sparked row as FIR has ben registered against a journalist who has highlighted various lapses in the system. Advocate Harichand has sent a demand notice to the Chief Minister of Himachal on this issue. He has written that I am an advocate and a social activist at Chandigarh. I have come across a news report that an FIR No.0051 dated 7.5.2021 has been registered in Police Station Shimla East against Mr. Aman, a journalist of electronic channel Zee News, under sections 419/468/471 of IPC read with Sections 66 (D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, read with Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. His only fault is that for the purpose of exposing the lacunas in the e-pass issuance system introduced by HP Administration, he submitted online application for issuing e-passes in the names of (i) Amitabh Bachan, and (ii) Donald Trump, and both the e-passes were issued. However, instead of introducing some safeguards in the e-pass system, to prevent frauds, the Police has registered the aforesaid FIR against him, as if he were a fraudster.

Sir, you may kindly appreciate that Mr. Aman is a journalist. He has adopted an innovative method for awakening the administration against lacunas in the existing e-pass system. In my considered opinion, he should have been rewarded and appreciated by the Police/Administration. The registration of FIR against him is thus, totally unjustified. It is intended to muzzle the voice of the Press. It sends a wrong signal as if the administration is insensitive to even to genuine criticism. Such knee-jerk reactions to criticism do not enhance the image of administration. The impression needs be dispelled by withdrawing/cancellation of the FIR.