Journalist 'told man to kill himself'

AN Indian journalist who allegedly persuaded a depressed businessman to kill himself on camera, before police stopped him, has been charged with abetting suicide.

The video journalist, identified only as Vipin, urged Tilak Raj to drink poison outside a police superintendent's residence in northern Punjab state yesterday.

"Tilak Raj was extremely depressed after losing a property case in court,'' the superintendent, R.K. Jaiswal, said.

"He approached Vipin for help and Vipin told him to kill himself to attract public attention to his plight.''

Police managed to thwart the suicide bid.

"Raj was on his way to my house when he was caught near a shopping mall. Now both men have been arrested and cases have been registered against them,'' the senior officer said.

Vipin was charged with abetting suicide "in search of an exclusive'' while Mr Raj was being held for attempting suicide.

"Both are crimes under Indian law,'' Mr Jaiswal said.

"These days, all journalists want an exclusive. This was Vipin's way of trying to get one,'' said a local district administration official, asking not to be named.

Numerous fabricated stories have undermined the image of India's booming television media.

Last week, a television reporter in New Delhi was charged with fomenting riots after the LiveIndia station aired a sting operation that allegedly exposed a school teacher forcing female students into prostitution.

Furious parents of the supposed victims publicly stripped 42-year-old teacher Uma Khurana and went on a rampage. The sting was later found to have been faked.

At least 40 Indian cable news channels are battling for ratings today.

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