The Congress Party on Tuesday accused Goa government of targeting journalists after a mediaperson Harish Volvoikar was detained for allegedly circulating false news reports about CM Manohar Parrikar’s health.

The party also urged the Speaker not to selectively debar journalists from entering the state Assembly complex after a mediaperson (Volvoikar) was banned from the ongoing budget session.

Harish Volvoikar was detained by police after it was found that he had circulated unsubstantiated news regarding CM Manohar Parrikar’s health, who is being treated in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital for a pancreatic ailment.

Volvoikar reportedly works for a WhatsApp-based news service that covers local events across Goa. Volvoikar was debarred on Monday from entering the precincts of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Inspector General (IG) of Police Jaspal Singh said a case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Volvoikar was summoned by the Cyber Cell of the Goa Police Crime Branch, after a BJP leader Sunil Desai complained to the police, claiming unknown persons were spreading rumours about Parrikar’s health.

However, the office of the Speaker in a clarification said the journalist, Harish Volvoikar who operates GoaJunction.com, was using an expired Assembly access pass and it amounted to “disregard and violation of rules and sanctity of the Vidhan Sabha”.

“As per records, the card was valid till March 2017 and he continued using the same card for almost a year thereafter,” it said.

“Hence, Honourable Speaker (Pramod Sawant) has decided to disallow Volvoikar, claiming to be a press or mediaperson from attending the assembly session.”

Earlier on Monday, Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo had said, if need arises Goa CM can be shifted to US for further treatment.

“We want him. We will do everything we can. He could be taken to the US if need be,” Lobo told reporters at the state assembly complex on Monday.

Parrikar was rushed to Lilavati Hospital on February 15 for treatment of “mild pancreatitis”. On Saturday, the CMO denied reports that Parrikar underwent a surgery, claiming that his health was improving.

A statement issued by the hospital on Sunday said that Parrikar was responding well to treatment and dismissed rumours of all adverse health reports.

BJP worker Sunil Desai has filed a complaint at the Ponda police station against unknown persons for circulating “false news” on two occasions on February 17 and 19.

“This is to bring to your kind notice, that some people are circulating false news about our Chief Minister’s health and misguiding the people in my name,” Desai said.

Messages circulating on social media on the above mentioned two dates, expressed fears about the worst for the Chief Minister’s health. But the reports were promptly denied by both BJP leaders and the Chief Minister’s Office.

(With agency inputs)