more-in Mumbai: A journalist with a television channel was allegedly assaulted by unidentified people near his Gamdevi residence on Saturday night. Herman Gomes said the incident occurred on August Kranti Maidan Road, which is a stone’s throw away from Gamdevi police station. “I was returning home with my friend Cavell D’souza when I was attacked by a group of people right outside my house. The attack was clearly planned as one of them was armed with a knuckle duster,” Mr. Gomes said. Police officials said around 1.30 a.m., when Mr. Gomes and Mr. Cavell got out of a taxi, around six people first tried to intimidate the duo and then assaulted them. Speaking to the media, Mr. Gomes said when he went to Gamdevi police station, the duty officer asked him to produce evidence to back his claims of assault. The Mumbai Police have ordered an inquiry into the matter. “The zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police had visited the police station following the incident. We will inquire into all aspects,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti said. Mr. Gomes and Mr. Cavell were taken to Bhatia Hospital in Tardeo. Mr. Gomes, who had to be administered six stitches to his right eye, was later discharged. By Sunday morning, as news of the incident spread, several journalist organisations, including the Mumbai Press Club and the Mumbai Crime Reporters’ Association, reached out to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who assured speedy and strict action. “The CMO called us to say that the government is for protecting the rights of journalists and ensuring their safety whenever under threat from the people and organisations that resort to intimidation and physical attacks,” a statement from the Mumbai Press Club on Sunday evening said. Meanwhile, the Gamdevi police have registered a case of unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault under the Indian Penal Code. Senior police inspector Gokulsingh Patil, Gamdevi police station, said, “Mr. Gomes has not suspected anybody. The accused will be nabbed soon.”

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