A dispute over a newspaper report has led to a police case in Kundapur after journalist Srikanth Hemmady was allegedly assaulted, verbally abused and threatened with death, raising fresh concerns about the safety of journalists reporting on public institutions.
Hemmady, a correspondent for Kannada Prabha and a member of the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association, had earlier published a report concerning allegations that surgeons at Kundapur Government Hospital were taking money from inpatients during treatment. The report has now become the centre of a dispute that has resulted in a complaint at Kundapur police station.
According to the complaint, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Shetty, a former Medical Officer at the government hospital, was upset over the newspaper report and allegedly confronted and assaulted Hemmady. The complaint also alleges that the journalist was abused and threatened with death.
The allegations have not been established by a court, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials are expected to examine the complaint, collect evidence and speak to people who may have information about what happened.
The case has drawn the attention of journalists and media organisations in Udupi, particularly because the alleged confrontation followed reporting on a matter involving a government hospital and claims concerning patients.
For journalists, reporting from government institutions often means dealing with officials, employees, patients and members of the public while attempting to verify information. Such reporting can sometimes lead to disagreements over facts or criticism of published reports. However, the journalists’ association has stressed that disputes over news coverage should be handled through lawful and professional channels rather than intimidation or physical force.
The Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association strongly condemned the alleged attack on Hemmady and called on the Udupi District Police to take immediate and strict action if the allegations are established.
District president Subrahmanya G. Kurya said journalists should be allowed to perform their professional duties without fear. He stressed that anyone who believes a news report is inaccurate or objectionable has the right to respond through legal and professional mechanisms.
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The association’s position reflects a broader concern within the local media community: journalists need to be able to approach public offices and institutions, ask questions and investigate allegations without facing threats or violence.
The controversy also highlights the importance of due process. While the complaint contains serious allegations against Dr. Shetty, those allegations must be tested through the police investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings. Similarly, the claims concerning the alleged collection of money from hospital patients remain allegations unless established by competent authorities.
Police have said they are investigating the matter and will take appropriate legal action based on the findings. Investigators may examine available evidence and statements from the complainant, the accused and potential witnesses before determining the next course of action.
The incident comes at a time when journalist safety remains an important concern for media organisations across India. Reporters working on stories involving public authorities, government departments, hospitals and other institutions can face disagreements with those who feel affected by their coverage.
The role of journalism, however, depends heavily on the ability of reporters to gather information and present matters of public interest. Government hospitals in particular serve large sections of the population, making allegations concerning patient treatment, payments and administrative practices matters that can attract legitimate public scrutiny.
At the same time, responsible journalism requires reporters and news organisations to verify allegations, seek responses from concerned parties and distinguish clearly between claims and established facts. The same principle applies when allegations are made against journalists or other individuals.
In the Kundapur case, the police investigation will therefore be significant in establishing what happened during the alleged confrontation and whether the accusations in the complaint are supported by evidence.
The Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association has called for a fair investigation and due process while maintaining that those responsible for any wrongdoing should face action under the law.
For the local media community, the episode has become more than a dispute involving one newspaper report. It has renewed questions about how journalists can safely investigate issues affecting the public and how disagreements over published stories should be resolved.
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Read More →As the investigation continues, the focus will remain on the evidence collected by police and the legal process that follows. Until those proceedings establish the facts, allegations made by either side should be treated as allegations rather than proven claims.
The case has nevertheless prompted renewed discussion among journalists in Udupi about professional safety, access to public institutions and the need to protect the space for legitimate reporting while ensuring that all allegations are examined fairly and responsibly.