Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district have arrested flour mill owner Ashok Kumar Gupta and two other accused in connection with the alleged murder of senior journalist Mohammad Naseem Ahmed, who died following a violent assault during a dispute over a newspaper advertisement.
The arrests came a day after the incident sparked concern among journalists and renewed questions about the safety of reporters working for regional newspapers.
Ahmed, 60, was associated with the Hindi daily Dainik Janwani. According to media reports, he visited a flour mill on Jarothi Road in Hapur on October 18 to seek an advertisement for the newspaper’s Diwali edition.
The visit reportedly led to an argument that escalated into a physical assault.
According to Live Hindustan, the three arrested accused are Ashok Kumar Gupta, his son Kapil, also identified in reports as Kapil Agrawal, and Naresh Kumar.
Police reportedly arrested them near Royal Enclave Colony in Hapur. Investigators were also searching for Gupta’s son, who was reported to be absconding, while further investigation continued.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Kumar confirmed the arrests, according to local media reports. Police have been examining the circumstances surrounding the assault and pursuing further legal action in the case.
According to the complaint filed by Ahmed’s son-in-law, Dr Shahrukh, the journalist had gone to the mill with colleagues, including Salauddin, to seek an advertisement. Witnesses alleged that an argument broke out and that a group of men attacked Ahmed after he objected to the alleged verbal abuse.
Ahmed was taken to a community health centre, where doctors declared him dead. The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police registered a case at Hapur Dehat police station following the incident. The Times of India reported that the case included provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to murder, rioting, criminal intimidation and intentional insult.
Investigators have also been examining CCTV footage to establish the sequence of events and identify other people who may have been involved.
The International Federation of Journalists condemned Ahmed’s killing on October 21 and called for a swift, transparent and thorough investigation. The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by journalists working for smaller publications, particularly those who also seek advertising to support their newspapers.
Police investigation and further legal proceedings are continuing.
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