MUMBAI: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Police has arrested two senior editors of the Telugu news channel TV5 for alleging Ambani brothers’ involvement in the death of former chief minister YS Rajshekhar Reddy.

The report, citing a Russian website, was first aired by TV5 and was later broadcast on NTV and Saakshi TV. This led to attacks on Reliance groups’ outlets in Andhra Pradesh.

Reddy was killed in a helicopter crash on 2 September last year.

After the attacks, criminal cases have been filed against the two other channels also. The cases were handed over to the CID, which arrested TV5 senior executive editor Brahmananda Reddy and input editor P Venkatakrishna from their office amid protests by staff.

Meanwhile, the Editors Guild of India has expressed grave concern over "unprofessional" reporting by channels.

In its statement, the guild asked the channels to desist from "irresponsible reporting". "Such reporting is sensational in nature and goes against the basic ethics, standards and principles of journalism,” it said while condemning such reporting.

The statement further said that "such reporting triggered some violence in certain parts of Andhra Pradesh is highly unfortunate".

"It may be pertinent to reiterate news organsiations should exercise all possible rigour and cross-checking of fact, source and motivation of the information before disseminating it in public," it added.

Meanwhile, both Mukesh and Anil Ambani-led companies have issued statements expressing shock at the report.