Snatcher-turned-blackmailer reporter of ‘The Daily Truth News’faces criminal charges; next date of hearing on Nov 12
“Shubham used sister’s bike (JK02DA-3858) for snatching,” police investigation reveal
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the self-styled reporter of the controversial online portal “The Daily Truth News”, Shubham Manswalia alias Shivam, not only stands accused of blackmailing Jammuites but was earlier booked in a mobile snatching case under Section 382 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the Channi Himmat Police Station. Shubham is under trial in snatching case and next date of hearing, in the court of Special Excise Mobile Magistrate Jammu, is Nov 12, 2025.
According to official records, FIR No. 91/2023 was registered at Police Station Channi Himmat on the written complaint of Ram Babu, son of Dhan Parsad, resident of Sanjay Nagar, Jammu. The complainant stated that on June 7, 2023, around 2:00 PM, his Vivo Y21 mobile phone (Light Sky Blue) was snatched near Jammu Darbar, Channi Himmat by a motorcyclist riding a bike bearing registration number JK02DA-3858.
This bike (JK02DA-3858) used in snatching is registered in name of Bharti Manswalia, resident of Choti Masjid, H;NO; 284 Ustad Mohalla, Jammu, daughter of Kasturi Lal, and sister of Shubham Manswalia.
The police, after initial investigation using footages of CCTVs, identified the snatcher as Shubham Manswalia, who has since emerged as the same person involved in the recent blackmailing case. The snatching case, investigated by Head Constable Manzoor Ahmed, was registered under Section 382 IPC (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt, or restraint). Shubham was subsequently charge-sheeted in court, and the matter is still under judicial consideration.
Police sources confirmed that Shubham, son of Kasturi Lal, originally a resident of Ustad Mohalla, and currently living at Bahu Fort, Jammu, later reinvented himself as a “media person” under the banner of “The Daily Truth News”. However, instead of engaging in journalism, he allegedly began using the platform for blackmail and extortion.
In the latest incident, Shubham was caught on camera demanding Rs 20,000 for deleting a fabricated video he had uploaded on his portal. An audio recording capturing his voice during the negotiation has been submitted to police as evidence and also shared in public.
Police confirmed that a case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. “We are examining the voice recording and other material evidence. Legal action will follow,” an officer stated, adding that Shubham’s criminal background is under renewed scrutiny.
It is both alarming and ironic that a man previously booked for street snatching went on to project himself as a journalist, using the guise of media to extort and blackmail. The police are now probing his connections and possible involvement in other similar offences.
The exposure of Shubham Manswalia – a snatcher-turned-blackmailer – has sparked serious concern among the journalist fraternity and the public alike, raising pressing questions about the growing menace of fake, unregistered news portals being misused for criminal activities rather than responsible reporting.
The snatcher turned blackmailer reporter Shubham who approached the office of the SDPO City North Jammu last year for a character certificate and it was denied as criminal cases are registered against him.
“Interestingly, how he was blackmailing though his portal.
Why the intelligence agencies who are keeping a track on day to day happenings missed an eye on him when he was openly holding a mike and blackmailing Jammuites,” said a retired police officer on the condition of anonymity.
