SC orders Uttar Pradesh police to shield journalist from coercive action

What Happened

The Supreme Court of India directed the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner to refrain from taking coercive steps against journalist Abhishek Upadhyay in connection with a road-rage case linked to allegations about misappropriation of Ram Temple donations. The court also ordered the police to provide him with a copy of the FIR and the relevant CCTV footage and to file a compliance report at the next hearing on September 7. The interim protection covers Upadhyay for the duration of the interim period, and the court suggested he could seek relief from the jurisdictional High Court if needed.

Why It Matters

The ruling offers temporary protection to a journalist who argues that actions against him are tied to his reporting on a sensitive community-donation issue. It also signals judicial caution about potential misuse of FIRs to harass a reporter for his investigative work, while maintaining that any real offence, if established, could lead to prosecution. The decision emphasizes due process and access to key case materials during investigations.

Background

Upadhyay is described as an independent journalist who publicized concerns about the Ram Mandir donation process. The police have accused him in a road-rage incident involving a two-wheeler, with additional serious allegations under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act mentioned in the plea. The court’s intervention comes after an oral mentioning a day earlier and amid claims that police sought to compel nearby shopkeepers to delete CCTV records.

Key Facts

• Location of action: Uttar Pradesh, India (Ghaziabad police authorities involved).
• Date of court order: August 25, 2026.
• Judicial body: Supreme Court of India, three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
• Relief granted: Interim protection from police coercive action for Upadhyay in relation to the FIRs; coverage for any other concurrent FIRs during the interim period.
• FIR context: Road-rage incident; allegations include caste-based abuses; investigation linked to Ram Temple donation issue reporting.
• Documents to be provided: Copy of the FIR and CCTV footage to the journalist.
• Next court date: September 7 (compliance report to be filed on this date).
• Possible other charges cited: Allegations under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act mentioned in the plea.

What Happens Next

The Ghaziabad Police Commissioner must furnish the FIR copy and the CCTV footage to Upadhyay and submit a compliance report on September 7. Upadhyay has been advised that he can pursue relief through the High Court if needed after this interim protection period.