A widely circulated list, accusing more than 150 journalists of corruption, has unnerved the media fraternity in Bhopal. The crime branch is probing the source of the list, but the FIR that was lodged this week appears to be unprecedented in a state where such lists are not rare.

During the 2018 assembly polls, a similar list had gone viral on social media, with names of prominent journalists from English and Hindi media outlets, and unsubstantiated allegations about cars being handed out as gifts. Amid the Lok Sabha poll campaign this year, another list had accused media persons of receiving undue benefits.

Amid the latest controversy, a case was lodged against unidentified individuals under BNS sections 336(4) and 356(2) on Monday after a complaint by four journalists. “By spreading this fabricated fake list, an attempt is being made to tarnish the reputation and image” of journalists in the state, the complaint alleged.

The list was circulated on social media. The FIR mentioned that it was also featured by Bhadas4Media, a website that publishes scoops and gossip on the news industry. Bhadas4Media chief editor Yashwant Singh has been summoned by the police for questioning, but he said he is yet to receive the notice.