Minister files complaint against reporter who had filmed him watching porn

Bengaluru: Karnataka primary and secondary education minister Tanveer Sait has lodged a complaint against a journalist and his cameraman, who shot a video of him purportedly watching sleazy pictures on his cellphone at a Tipu Jayanti function in Raichur, about 450 km from Bengaluru.

"Based on the minister's complaint, we've registered a case against the TV reporter and cameraman," A Times of India report quoted a senior police officer as saying. The duo have been charged under IPC Section 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace).

Meanwhile Chief minister Siddaramaiah said he was not aware of the development. "I'll speak to Tanveer Sait before reacting... (But) I'm not defending anyone. What's important is whether the mistake has been committed. I don't want an innocent person to get punished, regardless of the person's stature or party affiliation. I won't accept the report Sait submits to me. I will get the incident probed before initiating action."

Former PM HD Deve Gowda said Siddaramaiah should have been careful while dealing with the issue. He said: "The media has shown footage of Sait watching objectionable photos on his mobile. Instead of giving the minister a clean chit, the CM should order a probe into the incident. Now, a complaint has been filed against a media house."