Madhya Pradesh HC grants relief to journalists facing extortion case after sting op on female foeticide

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to Tehelka journalist Vinay Arora, who faces extortion charges in connection with a sting operation that allegedly exposed illegal prenatal sex determination, unlawful abortions and female foeticide in Dewas [Vinay Arora v. State of Madhya Pradesh].Days earlier, on June 25, the Court granted bail to Rajni, another journalist associated with the same sting operation and who also faced extortion charges. Both orders were passed by Justice Pavan Kumar Dwivedi who granted them relief after noting that the sting videos had already been shared with senior government authorities before the FIR alleging extortion was registered."After considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties and on perusal of the case diary, particularly taking into account the fact that on 06.04.2026 (Annexure A/2), the video of Sting Operation was already sent to the Commissioner, Health Department, Madhya Pradesh, Chairperson of NHRC, DGP of Madhya Pradesh as well as CM&HO, Dewas and on 06/07.04.2026, it was sent to CMHO, Dewas and only after that FIR was registered on 07.04.2026, this Court is inclined to allow this application," the Court observed in its order granting pre-arrest bail to Vinay Arora.Similar observations were made while ordering Rajni's release on bail..The case arose from an FIR registered at Kotwali Police Station, alleging that Arora, Rajni and others conspired to extort money from the complainant using videos recorded during a sting operation.The FIR was registered under Sections 308(5) and 308(6) (extortion), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The accused journalists, who are associated with Tehelka Digital News, had conducted sting operations exposing alleged illegal prenatal sex determination, unlawful abortions and female foeticide that were being carried out in violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act) and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (MTP Act).Rajni was arrested in connection with the case on April 13. She eventually approached the High Court seeking bail.Meanwhile, a trial court rejected Vinay Arora's anticipatory bail application on May 11, prompting him to approach the High Court as well for relief. .The journalists' counsel argued that the videos of the sting operation had been shared with the authorities before the FIR was registered. They contended that the prosecution for extortion was a retaliatory action initiated after the alleged illegal activities were exposed through the sting operation. Since the videos had already been shared with the authorities, there could be no question of extortion either, they pointed out. The State opposed the plea, arguing that the allegations were serious and that the accused had attempted to blackmail the complainant by recording videos during the sting operation.Without commenting on the merits of the case, the High Court eventually granted both journalists relief by two separate orders. By a July 2 order, the Court directed that Arora be released on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest on furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000 and one solvent surety.By its earlier June 25 order, the Court ordered Rajni's release on bail, provided she furnishes a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one solvent surety, and provided she appears regularly for trial hearings. .Advocate Aman Malviya appeared for the journalists. ..Government Advocates Surendra Singh Alawa and Hemant Sharma appeared for the State..[Read Orders]