Supreme Court Demands Clarification from UP Police Over Data Request to X in Journalist’s Road Rage Case

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the police commissioner of Ghaziabad to submit an affidavit detailing the information sought from the social media platform X regarding journalist Abhishek Upadhyay in a road rage incident. This request comes as Upadhyay claims that the charges against him stem from his investigative reporting on alleged financial misconduct related to donations made for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Upadhyay has emerged as a critical figure in investigating the purported embezzlement of funds intended for the temple, making headlines with his revelations. He asserts that the road rage case filed against him is a deliberate attempt to intimidate him and silence his journalistic inquiries. As part of his legal challenge against the first information report (FIR) lodged against him, Upadhyay filed a petition contesting a notice issued by the Uttar Pradesh Police to X, seeking details about his social media account.

During the court proceedings, Upadhyay’s lawyer pointed out that the police had requested information regarding his account beginning from June 1, despite the FIR being recorded on August 18. This discrepancy raised concerns about the motives behind the police’s actions, with the defense arguing that such inquiries appeared aimed at uncovering Upadhyay’s journalistic sources. The lawyer underscored that the police’s demands for data included specifics on the devices used to access his account, further indicating an intrusive approach to the investigation.

In the courtroom, Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the necessity of tracking a person’s digital activities when the focus should be on the incident itself. Meanwhile, the attorney general, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, claimed that a medico-legal report substantiating injuries related to the road rage incident warranted further investigation. This response has only intensified the scrutiny on the police’s actions and the broader implications for press freedom in the country.

As the case unfolds, it highlights significant issues surrounding the intersection of law enforcement and journalism in India, particularly regarding the protection of reporters’ rights to confidential sources. The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a growing concern over the use of legal mechanisms to potentially intimidate journalists and stifle investigative reporting. As the Ghaziabad police prepares to respond to the court’s directive, the case stands as a critical test for the balance between public safety and the protection of journalistic integrity.

Source: scroll.in