Mumbai : A woman journalist with an English newspaper here was Friday arrested for alleged involvement in senior journalist Jyotirmoy Dey’s killing, sending shock waves in the media industry.
A court later sent her to police custody until Dec 1.
Jigna Vora was taken into custody on charges of providing Dey’s mobile telephone and motorbike number and his location to mafia don Chhota Rajan, who has taken responsibility for the June 11 killing, police said.
Vora was arrested after being summoned by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch for investigation. She has worked with several Mumbai-based newspapers.
Dey, 56, Mid Day’s editor for special investigations who wrote extensively on the underworld, was gunned down near his residence in central Mumbai’s Powai by motorcycle-borne assailants.
Vora was described as a friend of the late Dey. Journalists, especially those on the crime beat, were shocked by her arrest.
The slain journalist’s mother broke down on hearing that a professional colleague had been in touch with the killer gang.
“I cannot believe that a colleague could stoop to this level and make him vulnerable,” Bina Dey said .
She recalled that her son had left home June 11 saying he would return in half hour.
“He never returned. I feel tormented why my son, who never spoke ill of anybody or never harmed anyone, should be targeted in this manner,” she said.
Vora has worked with several Mumbai-based newspapers. She had been under the scanner for a few months and had been interrogated twice earlier.
IANS
