ED arrests Gujarat Samachar co-owner Bahubali Shah, family alleges political targetin
ED arrests Gujarat Samachar co-owner Bahubali Shah, family alleges political targeting
M.U.H
16/05/202523
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly arrested Bahubali Shah, one of the owners of Gujarat Samachar, a leading Gujarati daily newspaper, late on Thursday night on charges related to financial fraud. While specific details of the case are yet to emerge, Shah’s family alleges that the arrest is politically motivated.
“Yes, the information is correct. Bahubalibhai has been arrested in an old case. We don’t have much details as yet about the charges…we are being targeted,” said Shreyansh Shah, the newspaper’s managing editor and Bahubali Shah’s brother, told Deccan Herald.
Attempts to seek a response from the ED on the matter remained unanswered.
Founded in 1932, Gujarat Samachar is one of the largest circulated vernacular dailies in Gujarat and is jointly managed by the Shah brothers. The arrest came hours after a raid by the Income Tax department, followed by a series of searches conducted by the ED at the newspaper’s offices and locations linked to it.
Who is Bahubali Shah?
Bahubali Shantilal Shah is a prominent Indian media entrepreneur and co-owner of Gujarat Samachar, one of the largest and most influential Gujarati-language daily newspapers. Established in 1932, Gujarat Samachar is headquartered in Ahmedabad and has a significant presence across Gujarat and in cities like Mumbai and New York. The newspaper is jointly managed by Bahubali Shah and his brother, Shreyansh Shah, who serves as the managing editor
In addition to his role at Gujarat Samachar, Bahubali Shah holds directorships in several companies, including Gujarat Samachar Ltd., Parijat Infrastructure Ltd., and Ajab Gajab Investment Pvt. Ltd. He maintains a substantial ownership stake in Lok Prakashan Ltd., the publishing company behind Gujarat Samachar, with a direct shareholding of 22.79%. Combined with his brother’s holdings, the Shah family controls a majority stake in the company.
Congress condemns arrest, calls it ‘punishment’
Political reactions quickly followed the arrest. Gujarat Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil alleged that the government was cracking down on media outlets that are critical of its actions.
“Bahubali Shah was arrested by the ED hours after an operation by the Income Tax department. The real reason behind his arrest is the paper’s critical writing against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government,” Gohil told Deccan Herald, adding that he had spoken to the Shah family to confirm the arrest.
He further claimed in a post on X: “Punishment to stand up for Truth has been the motto of the BJP government. Leading Gujarati newspaper Gujarat Samachar has always stood up against power, whosoever it be. However, showing mirror to BJP Government and PM Modi in the recent India – Pakistan fallout has ensured that Modi let out his favourite tool kit, his hounds. Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) has pounced upon Gujarat Samachar and its television channel GSTv besides other business entities.”
Gohil also noted that Bahubali Shah is a senior citizen with health concerns. “I strongly condemn this excess by the Modi govt. Media doing its’ job is being ruthlessly targeted. BJP should know that not every media is Godi and ready to sell their soul.”
The developments follow recent actions by central agencies, including income tax raids and the suspension of the newspaper’s X (formerly Twitter) account after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Aam Aadmi Party’s Gujarat president, Isudan Gadhvi—who also hosts a debate show on the newspaper’s TV channel—criticised the ED and I-T actions, calling them a threat to independent journalism.
“During the emergency, the office of Gujarat Samachar was burnt down but even then the newspaper didn’t stop reporting the truth,” Gadhvi wrote on X.
Following his arrest, Bahubali Shah reportedly experienced chest pain and was taken for a medical examination before being shifted to another hospital later in the night.
The arrest has intensified the ongoing debate around press freedom and the alleged use of investigative agencies against media houses critical of the government.
