Singer Neha Singh Rathore Moves Allahabad HC Against FIR Over Her Social Media Posts On Pahalgam Terror Attack

Folk singer Neha Singh Rathore has moved the Allahabad High Court challenging an FIR lodged against her under multiple charges, including “endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India” over her 'provocative' social media posts on the Pahalgam Terror Attack.

In her plea, Rathore claimed that she was a law-abiding citizen, that the impugned FIR was based on vague and unsubstantiated allegations, and that the same had been filed with ulterior motives and political vendetta.

The complaint against Thakur was filed by Abhay Pratap Singh, who claimed that Rathore, using her Twitter [now X] handle, made some objectionable posts that can adversely affect national integrity and that she made repeated efforts to incite one community against another based on religion.

Based on the complaint, Hazraptganj (Lucknow) police have registered a case against her under multiple charges under BNS, including attempting to promote sectarian animosity, disturbing public tranquillity and endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

It has also been argued by her in her plea that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences are not made out, even if the FIR is read in its entirety and accepted at face value.

Furthermore, it has also been contended that merely because her videos got viral in other countries (including Pakistan), it cannot in any manner be said to be prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony among the various groups of persons belonging to different castes and religions

Against this backdrop, Rathore has sought the quashing of the FIR lodged under Sections 196(1)(a), 196(1)(b), 197(1)(a), 197(1)(b), 197(1)(c), 197(1)(d), 353(1)(c), 353(2), 302, 152 of BNS, 2023 and 69a of the IT Act, 2008.

She has further prayed that she may not be arrested, humiliated or harassed on the basis of the impugned FIR.

Advocates Kamal Kumar Sharma and Kaustubh Singh to appear for Neha.