Sam Pitroda, head of the Indian Overseas Congress, has issued a personal apology to India Today journalist Rohit Sharma following an incident in which Sharma was assaulted by Rahul Gandhi’s team in the US.

Sharma reported that Pitroda reached out to express his profound disappointment over the altercation and pledged a thorough investigation into the incident. Pitroda underscored his dedication to press freedom and condemned any form of violence against journalists.

The confrontation occurred in Dallas while Sharma, India Today’s US correspondent, was interviewing Pitroda ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. During the interview, Sharma inquired whether Gandhi would address the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh during his meetings with American lawmakers.

Sharma recounted that when he posed this question, Congress workers associated with Rahul Gandhi became agitated. “My final question shifted the dynamic: ‘Will Rahul Gandhi discuss the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh with US lawmakers?’ Before Sam could complete his response—starting with, ‘It’s up to Rahul and the lawmakers to decide what’s relevant, I can’t speak on their behalf, but…’—the situation descended into chaos. One individual yelled that the question was ‘controversial,’ and others joined in, escalating the situation. A member of Rahul’s team then seized my phone and started shouting,” Sharma said.

He also detailed how his phone was taken, and he was pressured to delete the interview. Sharma was reportedly confined in a room by about 15 men while Pitroda departed for the airport to meet Rahul Gandhi.

Following the apology from Sam Pitroda, Sharma noted that Pitroda was also taken aback by the incident and assured that steps would be taken against those responsible for the assault.