.png)
20 hours ago
19
2 min readThiruvanananthapuramMar 9, 2026 06:37 PM IST
Republic TV reporter Sankar C G and cameraman S Mani, along with their speedboat driver, Vijaya Kumar P, were arrested on Saturday while attempting to record visuals of the vessel. (Photo Credit: Western Naval Command/X)
A Republic TV reporter and cameraman, who were arrested under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly attempting to record visuals of the Iranian navy vessel, IRIS Lavan, approached a court in Kochi on Monday seeking bail.
After hearing their bail pleas, the First Class Magistrate Court reserved its verdict for Tuesday.
The vessel has been docked at the Southern Coil Berth of the Cochin Port since March 4, in the wake of tensions in West Asia that broke out following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
Republic TV reporter Sankar C G and cameraman S Mani, along with their speedboat driver, Vijaya Kumar P, were arrested on Saturday while attempting to record visuals of the vessel.
They were arrested under Sections 3(1) and 5 of the Official Secrets Act by the Harbour police. The FIR alleged that they trespassed into the Southern Coil Berth of the port and tried to record images of the vessel and circulate them, allegedly posing a threat to national security. The FIR said the ship has been anchored at the port as part of a diplomatic decision by India. The accused were then remanded in judicial custody.
Advocate Luke J Chirayil on Monday argued that Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act could not be slapped on the arrested persons, and that the media had already reported the previous day about the anchoring of the Iranian ship. Police could not recover any videos or photos from the arrested persons, he claimed.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
English (US) ·