Media Baron Bahubali Shah Briefly Arrested, Released on Health Grounds

Media Baron Arrested, Then Released on Health Grounds

Bahubali Shah, the owner of the prominent Gujarati newspaper Gujarat Samachar, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier today in connection with a money laundering case. The 73-year-old media baron, who is associated with over 15 business entities, was taken into custody following raids at multiple locations linked to him.

Arrest and Hospitalization

Shah, who is a director of Lok Prakashan Limited, the company that publishes Gujarat Samachar and the GSTV channel, was hospitalized shortly after his arrest due to a decline in his health. The ED has yet to release a detailed statement explaining the reasons behind the arrest.

Political Fallout

The arrest of the Gujarat Samachar owner, a publication widely read in Gujarati households and parts of Maharashtra, has sparked a political storm. Opposition parties in Gujarat, including the Congress and AAP, have accused the ruling BJP of using central agencies to intimidate and silence the media.

Voices of Support

Prominent political figures, including Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, have expressed their support for Shah. Rahul Gandhi described the arrest as a conspiracy to suppress not just the voice of Gujarat Samachar but the voice of democracy itself. Kejriwal, on the other hand, slammed the BJP, alleging that the arrest was a desperate attempt to silence all voices that speak the truth and challenge the government.

Allegations of Targeting

Congress MLA and Gujarat state working president Jignesh Mevani accused the ED of targeting Gujarat Samachar and its owners because the newspaper has consistently published critical reports about the central government for the past 25 years.