Gujarat Samachar Owner Held by ED, Congress Says Critical Writing Against Modi Govt Led to Arrest
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested one of the owners of Gujarat Samachar, a leading newspaper in the state on charges of financial fraud.
Deccan Herald reported quoting sources close to the family which runs the newspaper that late on Thursday (May 15) night, the ED took Bahubali Shah, one of the owners of the daily, into custody.
The opposition Congress has alleged that Shah was held by ED because of the newspaper’s critical writing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.
"Bahubali Shah was arrested by the ED hours after an operation by the Income Tax department. The real reason behind his arrest is the paper's critical writing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government," said Gujarat Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil.
Shah is reported to have developed chest pain after which he was taken to V.S. Hospital for medical examination, from where he was shifted to the Zydus Hospital in the night.
India Today reported on Friday afternoon that Shah was bailed on health grounds.
In a post on X, Gohil alleged that Gujarat Samachar’s reporting about the recent India-Pakistan conflict had led to him being targeted.
“Punishment to stand up for Truth has been the motto of the BJP government. Leading Gujarati newspaper Gujarat [Samachar] has always stood up against power, who so ever it be. However, showing mirror to BJP Government and PM Modi in the recent India - Pakistan fallout has ensured that Modi let out his favourite tool kit, his hounds. Income Tax( IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) has pounced upon Gujarat Samachar and its television channel GSTv besides other business entities. Gujarat Samachar owner Bahubalibhai Shah has been arrested,” said Gohil in the post.
Punishment to stand up for Truth has been the motto of the BJP government.
Leading Gujarati newspaper Gujarat Samchar has always stood up against power, who so ever it be. However, showing mirror to BJP Government and PM Modi in the recent India - Pakistan fallout has ensured… pic.twitter.com/09gfFouuWc— Shaktisinh Gohil MP (@shaktisinhgohil) May 15, 2025
“The family was reeling under grief following the death of their matriarch Smritiben, about three weeks back when the raids happened . Bahubalibhai is a senior citizen with health issues. I strongly condemn this excess by the Modi govt. Media doing its' job is being ruthlessly targeted. BJP should know that not every media is Godi and ready to sell their soul. I stand with #GujaratSamachar and all media that speaks truth to power. Jai Hind,” added Gohil.
Later on Friday, a group of press collectives under the Press Club of India (PCI)'s letterhead said in a statement that Shah's arrest by the ED “reflects a troubling assault on press freedom and democratic values that uphold the right to free expression in India”.
Writing that Gujarat Samachar has a “long-standing legacy of independent journalism”, the PCI, the Indian Women's Press Corps, the Delhi Union of Journalists, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists and the Working News Cameramen's Association added that the arrest – which it said was part of the ED and other agencies' attempts to target the media – raises questions about the “misuse of state machinery to muzzle media houses and suppress dissenting voices”.
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