The Supreme Court on Friday barred Assam Police from taking any coercive steps against senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan and other members of the digital news platform The Wire.
The move came in response to an FIR registered against them over a news report.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued the interim order after senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, representing the journalists, alleged that Assam Police was trying to bypass earlier court directions.
Ramakrishnan told the bench that Varadarajan and other journalists, including a consulting editor, had been called to appear on Friday for questioning in connection with an FIR lodged in May. She expressed concern that this could lead to their arrest.
“Expected to Follow Law”: Bench
While granting relief, the bench made it clear that the journalists must cooperate with the investigation.
“Everyone is expected to follow the law,” the judges said, directing the journalists to join the probe and file a status report at the next hearing.
Case Background
The case relates to an FIR filed against Varadarajan and others over a news article published by The Wire. The FIR reportedly pertains to Operation Sindoor, though details of the content have not been disclosed in the court record.
On August 12, the Supreme Court had already granted interim protection to Varadarajan, restraining Assam Police from initiating any coercive measures against him over the same FIR. The latest order extends that relief to other journalists associated with the portal.
Assam Police’s Action Questioned
According to Ramakrishnan, despite the earlier protective order, Assam Police issued fresh summons to the journalists, which prompted them to approach the court again. The legal team argued that this was an attempt to circumvent the court’s directions.
The bench noted the submissions and reiterated that while the journalists are shielded from arrest or coercive steps, they are still required to assist with the investigation.
Court has asked for a status report on the investigation and will review the matter at the next hearing. The interim protection for the journalists will remain in force until further orders.
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