Charudatta Deshpande, former journalist, and senior corporate communications officer with Tata Steel, passed away harassed and tormented on 28th June, 2013. Over the last year, the Press Club, along with a motley but determined band of friends, has waged an unrelenting campaign to ensure justice is meted out to those in Tata Steel who drove him to suicide.
It was only after 4 months of struggle, in November last year, that the Thane Police agreed to register a formal FIR against Tata Steel officer Prabhat Sharma. Thereafter, for one reason or the other, the investigations have been derailed. Though a Vasai Court was inclined to dismiss the anticipatory bail application of the culprits, the Thane Police was reluctant to take them into custody. The internal investigation ordered by Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry has also been bottled up.
But the story is far from over. Charu’s family and friends are determined to see that the ends of justice are met. The Press Club stands by them. To reaffirm our commitment to Charu and to bring his tormentors to book, we will all assemble once again at the Press Club on Saturday, 28th June, 2014 at 4.00 PM – the first anniversary of his untimely death – for a commemoration meeting.
There will be an update on the stage of the investigation and police case. Members of Charu's family will also attend the meeting and will inform of certain initiatives Tata Steel has taken to belatedly address their grievances.
Please do attend in large numbers
Secretary
Press Club Mumbai
June 24, 2014