Delhi Court Directs FIR Against Journalist Rana Ayyub After Advocate Alleges Her Social Media Posts 'Demean' Hindu Gods

A Delhi court has instructed the city’s police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against journalist Rana Ayyub following accusations by a lawyer that she spread “anti-India sentiment” and “insulted” Hindu deities on social media, according to The Indian Express.

On Tuesday (28 January), the Delhi Police informed the court that an FIR had been lodged against Ayyub under sections 153A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and 505 (statements conducing public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Raman Singh of the Saket Court, in his order dated 25 January, stated, “In view of the facts and circumstances, the complaint discloses commission of cognizable offences for which an FIR is warranted. Present application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C is allowed. SHO Cyber Police Station, South is directed to convert the contents of complaint as FIR and investigate the matter fairly.”

The magistrate emphasised the seriousness of the allegations, stating. “Considering the gravity of the allegations, the Court is of the view that it is expedient to order investigation in the present matter in exercise of the judicial power under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. The facts pleaded by complainant are such which necessitate intervention of State machinery in the form of police investigation and the complainant would not be in a position to collect evidence.”

She alleged the journalist had “demeaned” Lord Ram, “glorified” Ravana, depicted Sita and Draupadi in a “disrespectful light”, and referred to Veer Savarkar, a prominent freedom fighter, as a “terrorist sympathiser”.

After filing a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in November, Sachdeva claimed no action was taken by the Delhi Police.

Subsequently, she moved the court under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, requesting a police investigation.