Gujarat Samachar Owner Bahubali Shah Held in ED Probe

In a development that has sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s political and media circles, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Bahubali Shah, co-owner of Gujarat Samachar, the state’s most widely circulated daily, in connection with a high-profile money laundering case.

Bahubali Shah

The arrest came after a series of coordinated raids across multiple properties linked to Shah, who is reportedly involved in over 15 business entities ranging from media to real estate. Shah is a director of Lok Prakashan Limited, the parent company of Gujarat Samachar and the GSTV news channel. His elder brother, Shreyansh Shah, serves as the publication's managing editor.

Shortly after his detention, Shah was admitted to a hospital due to a sudden health complication. The ED has yet to officially disclose detailed charges or findings from its investigation.

Political Firestorm Erupts

The arrest has triggered a fierce political backlash, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of weaponizing central agencies to muzzle critical media voices.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a strongly worded statement, called the arrest part of a systematic campaign to erode press freedom and stifle democratic dissent.“This isn’t just an attack on one newspaper — it’s an attack on democracy itself,” said Gandhi. “Bahubali Shah's arrest exemplifies the Modi government’s ongoing politics of fear and intimidation.”

Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal also joined the chorus of condemnation, stating that the BJP was trying to “coerce independent journalism into submission.

“The Gujarat Samachar has consistently held the regime accountable — and that has made it a target,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, Delhi’s former Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal described the ED action as a symptom of the BJP’s growing “paranoia” towards critical voices.

“The back-to-back ED and IT raids, followed by Bahubali Shah’s arrest, aren't coincidental. This is the BJP’s frustrated response to fearless journalism,” Kejriwal remarked.

Longstanding Critique of Power

Founded over nine decades ago, Gujarat Samachar has been known for its unrelenting editorial stance and has routinely published investigations that scrutinize both state and central administrations.

Congress leader Pawan Khera remarked that the publication's arrest was the consequence of its editorial independence:

“This is the cost of telling the emperor he has no clothes,” Khera tweeted.

Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani also weighed in, saying that the Shah family has been targeted due to Gujarat Samachar’s consistent anti-establishment reporting over the past 25 years.

Background & Legal Ambiguity

While the ED has not released an official statement detailing the money laundering allegations, sources close to the investigation suggest that shell companies, suspicious property deals, and financial irregularities form the crux of the case.

Media watchdogs and civil rights groups have raised concerns over the increasing frequency with which investigative agencies are pursuing media owners and journalists critical of the ruling regime.

As of now, Shah remains hospitalized under medical supervision. Legal teams are expected to file for bail citing health conditions.

What Lies Ahead

The arrest of Bahubali Shah may well become a litmus test for press freedom in Gujarat and beyond. With Gujarat Samachar being a pillar of regional journalism, the fallout from this case could extend well beyond political boundaries.