IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit files police complaint against paparazzi
IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit files police complaint against paparazzi
On Friday Ashoke Pandit, President Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) lodged a formal police complaint against certain paparazzi and online media platforms for what it termed “inhuman” and “unethical” behavior in their coverage of legendary actor Dharmendra’s recent health condition.
In a letter addressed to the Senior Inspector of Juhu Police Station, IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit has stated that some paparazzi and digital media accounts “breached privacy” by entering the premises of the veteran actor Dharmendra’s residence and “recording footage and images of his family members teased their consent.” The visuals were later circulated online.
IFTDA has urged the police to take stringent legal action against those responsible and called for a strong precedent to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the formal complaint addressed to Sunil Jadhav, Senior Inspector of Police, Juhu Police Station, Ashoke Pandit wrote,
he wishes to lodge a formal complaint against certain unverified and scrupulous paparazzi and online media handlers who have crossed all limits of decency and ethics in the recent coverage related to the illness of Padma Bhushan Shri Dharmendra Ji, one of the most respected legends of Indian cinema.” The letter further stated, “It has come to their attention that certain paparazzi and digital media accounts have breached privacy by entering the premises of Shri Dharmendra Ji’s residence and recorded footage and images of his family members without consent. These visuals have been circulated publicly for sensationalism and profit, without any concern for legality, decency, or emotional distress caused to the family.”
Calling the act “inhuman, unethical, and a gross violation of the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” Pandit wrote that the behavior amounted to criminal offences involving unauthorized trespass, invasion of privacy, and defamation under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
He further added, that their film personalities are not commodities—they are human beings who deserve basic dignity and respect, especially amidst times of personal distress. The continued harassment and intrusion by such elements not only harms individuals but also tarnishes the integrity of Indian media and journalism as a whole.”
IFTDA’s complaint, shared on the association’s official social media accounts, was captioned, “IFTDA strongly condemns the disgraceful and unethical conduct of certain paparazzi in their intrusive reporting of Shri Dharmendra Ji’s health. Their reckless behaviour is unacceptable and inhuman. A formal police complaint has been filed, and we demand strict action to ensure such indecency is never repeated.”
The complaint comes amid rising outrage within the film fraternity over the media’s conduct in the midst of Dharmendra’s hospitalisation. The 89-year-old veteran actor was recently discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after a brief illness.
News Edit KV Raman
