Gujrat News: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Shantilal Shah, a co-owner of Gujarat’s major newspaper ‘Gujarat News’, on charges of money laundering. Soon after his arrest, his health deteriorated, due to which he was admitted to Zidas Hospital. On this, Rahul Gandhi has once again raised his voice on the violation of democracy.
According to sources, on the morning of May 13, the Income Tax Department conducted a search operation at several locations associated with Shah and his brother Shreyans Shah. After this, the ED team carried forward the action and raided several residential and commercial complexes. After questioning, Bahubali Shah was officially taken into custody.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also raised against this action. He wrote in the tweet that the attempt to silence the Gujarat news is not just a newspaper, but another conspiracy to suppress the voice of the entire democracy. When locks are placed on newspapers showing mirror to power, then democracy is in danger. Bahubali Shah’s arrest is part of the same politics of fear, which has now become the identity of the Modi government. The country will neither run with sticks nor fear – India will run from truth and constitution.
Trying to silence the Gujarat news is not just a newspaper, but another conspiracy to suppress the voice of the entire democracy.
When locks are placed on newspapers showing mirror to power, then democracy is in danger.
Bahubali Shah’s arrest is part of the same politics of fear, now Modi…
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 16, 2025
Hospital hospitalized when health deteriorates
After the arrest, Shah’s health condition started deteriorating, after which he was taken to VS Hospital. But Shah requested that he be shifted to a private hospital. He was then admitted to Jides Hospital in Ahmedabad, where he is undergoing treatment.
Congress attacked central government
For this arrest, Gujarat Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil has accused the central government of suppression of media. He wrote on the Social Media Forum X (East Twitter) that the price of speaking the truth has to be paid, and this is the real face of the BJP. ‘Gujarat News’ has always questioned power – whether it is the government of any party. Recently, when the newspaper criticized the government on the India-Pakistan dispute, they came under target. Gohil also mentioned that Shah’s family was passing through maternal mother during the raid, which leads to insensitivity and exposure to action. It was written that Bahubali Shah is a senior citizen, he has serious health problems. This arrest is an attack on the freedom of the press. Not every media house is for sale.
Who is Bahubali Shah?
Bahubali Shah and his brother Shreyans Shah are the joint owners of the state’s leading media group ‘Gujarat News Publications’. The group began in 1932, and has remained a major voice of Gujarat over the years. Bahubali Shah is also associated with more than 15 business undertakings.