Overview
- A Kochi magistrate granted bail to reporter Sankar C.G., cameraman S. Mani, and their boat driver after their March 7 arrests at Cochin Port.
- Police have charged the trio under Sections 3(1)(a) and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Sections 329(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Prosecutors allege the accused entered the Southern Coal Berth, a high-security zone, to record images of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan with potential risk to national security.
- The court noted key factors supporting release, including seizure of the equipment at apprehension, progress of the probe, lack of criminal antecedents, and low risk of absconding or influencing Coast Guard witnesses.
- Defense counsel argues the visit was for legitimate newsgathering and says no photos or videos were recovered, while the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged authorities to drop the case.