SC bars UP Police from taking coercive action against journalist WHO flagged Ram Temple misappropriations
· India · The Hindu, Telegraph India
The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred the Uttar Pradesh Police from taking any coercive action against independent journalist Abhishek Upadhyay in connection with a road rage case. A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner to provide Mr. Upadhyay with copies of the FIR and relevant CCTV footage. The court extended this interim protection to cover any additional FIRs that may be filed against the journalist to ensure he has sufficient time to defend himself. Mr. Upadhyay’s legal counsel argued that the FIR was a retaliatory measure for his reporting on alleged misappropriations of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 7 and instructed the police to file a compliance report by that date.
Why it matters
The ruling provides immediate legal protection to a journalist facing criminal charges, setting a precedent for addressing allegations of state-led harassment against independent media reporting on sensitive public issues.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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