Karnal: IBN24 Haryana's Chief Editor, Akarshan Uppal, was allegedly brutally attacked earlier this week,in Karnal, Haryana resulting in his hospitalization. This occurred days after he reported a drug case.
According to IBN24, Uppal was able to expose the people involved in the drug case after an anonymous tip from a caller. It was also noted that Uppal had received several threat calls from the brother of one of those arrested in the case-Gurmeet Singh. Gurmeet Singh was arrested several days after Uppal covered the story, and passed away in prison two weeks later.
According to a report by The Wire, after Singh's death, Akarshan and his family allegedly received life threatening calls from Gurmeet Singh's elder brother 'Ghelu'– who had assumed that Akarshan was involved in his brother's arrest. However, this matter was later clarified at a police station and he was told that Akarshan was present at the site only to cover a news story, and that he had nothing to do with the arrest, says the report.
It has also come to light that Uppal was working on uncovering controversy related to the Adani group and the new Farm Acts. He exposed the Adani group on buying hundreds of acres of land prior to the passing of the bill.
He also mentioned that they were attempting to build infrastructure to store agro products and swore to boycott Ambani and Adani.
According to the news channel,Akarshan Uppal was brutally beaten with lathis and sharp objects and suffered severe head injuries. Eye witnesses report that the attackers attempted to throw him a canal, however they were scared off by the forming crowd.
Uppal is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.
The police has arrested five persons in connection with the case, local media reported. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has reportedly visited the hospital and ensured safety measures for Akarshan.