2 hrs ago
Haryana Police Arrest Five in Alleged Fake Sting Case
Haryana Police arrested five people connected with Living India News.
Police say a video recorded about six months earlier was shown as if it were a new live report about drug use.
They say the video was made in a different, private context.
The police say they have the original footage, phones, and other technical evidence.
A person shown in the video complained, and police opened a case.
The channel says the arrests are connected to its reporting about alleged drug activity in Haryana.
A press club and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also criticized the arrests.
The police investigation is still underway, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Police allege Living India News presented a six-month-old video as a live sting showing drug consumption.
Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Chander Mohan said the original footage and technical evidence were obtained.
Five people associated with the channel were arrested after a complaint led to a case under the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police say the video was originally recorded in a different context involving a private matter and are investigating its dissemination and the alleged motive.
The channel disputes the police action, while the Chandigarh Press Club and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have criticized the arrests; allegations remain unproven in court.
- Who
- Five people associated with Living India News were arrested; police are investigating the channel’s handling of the video.
- What
- Police allege a six-month-old video was misleadingly presented as a live sting operation involving alleged drug consumption.
- Where
- Kurukshetra, Haryana; the case was registered at City Thanesar police station.
- When
- The footage was recorded on April 16, 2026; the article does not specify the date of the arrests.
- Why
- Police say a complaint alleged misleading circulation of the footage and blackmail threats; investigators are examining the motive.
Police account
Channel and critics
How the video was presented
Police account
Police allege a six-month-old video recorded in a different private context was framed as a live sting showing drug consumption.
Channel and critics
Living India News disputes the police action and links the arrests to its reporting on alleged drug-related activities in Haryana.
Arrests and press freedom
Police account
Police say the case followed a formal complaint and available evidence, with further proceedings depending on the investigation.
Channel and critics
The Chandigarh Press Club questioned the police action and called for journalists’ legal rights to be protected; Bhupinder Singh Hooda also criticized the arrests.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Five people associated with Living India News
- People arrested
- Managing Director Atul Aggarwal, Editor Saurabh, Anchor Sudesh Nain, Journalist Neetu and Lovepreet
- Footage date
- April 16, 2026
- Police official
- Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Chander Mohan
- Evidence cited
- Original video, recording-date information, mobile phones and other technical evidence
- Police station
- City Thanesar police station
- Laws cited
- Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Case status
- Under investigation; allegations have not been established in court
Quotes
Chander Mohan
Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police
“The office-bearers of this news channel had hatched a conspiracy. They circulated the video widely, framing it as an instance of drug abuse.”
thestatesman.com
“The footage was six months old and had been recorded in a different context.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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