Content creator alleges police harassment over Ram Temple donations reporting in UP

What Happened

The Hindu reports that Abhishek Upadhyay, who runs a YouTube news channel that covered alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, says he was subjected to harassment after publishing reports about corruption and irregularities in Uttar Pradesh. He describes an August sequence: a motorcyclist claimed Upadhyay hit him near Shipra Mall in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad on August 18, 2026, and urged him to go to a police post with the complainant. On August 19, Upadhyay posted about allegations involving an IAS officer and two plots of agricultural land bought in 2023, including the construction of a school on that land. He says the related video was removed for bullying and harassment, then restored the next day after a legal challenge. On August 20, around 10:20 p.m., his wife informed him that eight or nine police personnel reached his Ghaziabad residence. He says a case was registered and he sought a copy of the FIR, receiving only a single-page WhatsApp link at 2:45 a.m. on August 21, without details of the legal provisions or the alleged incident. He later received another link tied to an FIR from a 2025 case in Lucknow. He claims police towed his vehicle that day. Upadhyay has since posted about multiple corruption-related allegations tied to UP government departments. Supporters from Congress, AAP, and RJD publicly backed him, criticizing the state government’s handling of the Ram Temple donations matter and alleging intimidation by authorities. Published August 22, 2026.

Why It Matters

The report centers on a allegations of state harassment following investigative reporting into public donations and corruption in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about media freedom and government transparency. Political figures from multiple parties publicly endorsed Upadhyay’s stance, framing the police actions as pressure on a journalist who questioned public funds and governance.

Background

The coverage referenced reports on alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and broader accusations of corruption and irregularities in UP government departments, including the Public Works Department, mining, and a revenue department case. The timeline focuses on mid-August 2026 events involving Upadhyay’s reporting and subsequent police action in Ghaziabad and related FIRs.

Key Facts

• Abhishek Upadhyay runs a YouTube news channel that reported on alleged Ram Temple donations theft in Ayodhya.
• A motorcyclist allegedly collided with his car near Shipra Mall in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, on August 18, 2026, prompting a police visit.
• On August 19, he posted a report about an IAS officer and two agricultural land plots bought in 2023, with a school built on the land.
• The video was reportedly removed for bullying/harassment and later restored after a legal challenge.
• At about 10:20 p.m. on August 20, 2026, police went to his Ghaziabad residence; Upadhyay says a case was registered and he sought the FIR copy.
• He received a WhatsApp link to a one-page FIR at 2:45 a.m. on August 21, 2026, lacking detailed provisions or incident description; another link tied to a Lucknow FIR from 2025 followed.
• The police reportedly towed his vehicle on August 21, 2026.
• Upadhyay posted ten stories about corruption allegations involving UP public works, illegal mining, a company-linked exam irregularity in Jharkhand, and a state revenue department irregularity.
• Several political figures publicly supported Upadhyay, criticizing the UP government’s handling of the Ram Temple donations issue and alleging intimidation by authorities.

What Happens Next

The available article does not specify any scheduled future actions beyond Upadhyay’s claims of ongoing harassment, subsequent filings, and continued media coverage. The piece notes political leadership and opposition figures expressing support but does not outline official investigations, charges, or court actions beyond the described FIR references.