On March 7, journalists C.G. Shankar and S. Mani were detained after allegedly entering a restricted area to film an Iranian naval vessel docked near the port in Kochi, Kerala, according to reports.
The two journalists and a boat driver were arrested days after the Iranian ship IRIS Lavan docked in South India. The reporters previously attempted to film the warship, which was granted refuge following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, but were denied by officials due to security concerns.
The three individuals were handed over to the Kerala Harbor Police, who launched an investigation under the Official Secrets Act—which criminalizes the collection, reception and dissemination of documents and information that could affect national security or relations with foreign countries—and sections of the Indian penal code related to criminal trespassing. Their cameras were also seized by authorities.
“Using the Official Secrets Act against Republic TV journalists C.G. Shankar and S. Mani is extremely alarming and Indian authorities should immediately drop all potential charges,” said Kunal Majumder, the Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“While reports suggest the journalists may have proceeded after being denied permission to film, the full circumstances of what happened are unclear — and deploying a law intended to criminalize spying is a massive overreach,” continued Majumder.
Authorities stated that the individuals’ attempt to obtain and circulate footage of the docked Iranian ship could pose a threat to national security.
The two journalists could face up to three years of imprisonment, a fine or both if convicted under the Official Secrets Act. Their bail applications are pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I Court in Kochi.
CPJ further stated that neither the Kerala Harbour Police nor the Ministry of Home Affairs immediately responded to their request to comment on the incident.
A recent report by CPJ underlined the targeting and killing of journalists in India, as well as the lack of justice for these murders.
