JUDGMENT

1. Petitioner seeks anticipatory bail.

2. Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that, the petitioner is a Journalist and working with ABP Ananda. In support of such contention he relies upon the identity card of the petitioner issued by such network. He submits that, the petitioner took videography of illegal sand mining. Thereafter, one after another police complaints are being filed as against him falsely implicating him.

3. Learned advocate appearing for the State draws the attention of the Court to the materials in the Case Diary. He submits that, the petitioner is guilty of extortion of money from different persons in the locality.

4. We perused the materials in the Case Diary.

5. Apparently, petitioner is working as a Journalist with TV Channel. Petitioner claims that he recorded illegal sand mining activities in pursuit of his journalist endeavours.

6. There is an issue of false implication arising out of his journalistic work Freedom of press is indespensible to democracy.

7. Freedom of press can be maintained by ringfencing the press from intimidation. A journalist is part of the press. His freedom to execute his journalistic endeavours needs to be protec