Delhi Court Orders FIR Against Journalist Rana Ayyub For Allegedly Insulting Hindu Deities, Spreading Anti-India Sentiment On Social Media

A Delhi Court has ordered registration of FIR against journalist Rana Ayyub after a lawyer filed a complaint accusing her of insulting Hindu deities and spreading anti-India sentiment through her posts on 'X' (formerly Twitter) platform.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Raman Singh of Saket Courts observed that "prima-facie" cognizable offences were made out against Ayyub punishable under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class) and 505 (statements conducing public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

“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 convert the contents of complaint as FIR and investigate the matter fairly,” the Court said.

On November 11 last year, Amita Sachdeva, a lawyer by profession, had filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal requesting criminal action against Ayyub for the social media posts.

Sachdeva alleged that Ayyub has consistently used her social media to insult Hindu Deities, malign the fabric of Indian unity and promote hostility toward India and its citizens including Indian Army.

It was Sachdeva's case that despite follow ups, no action was taken on her complaint. Accordingly, she filed an application under Section 156(3) of CrPC seeking registration of FIR against the journalist.

While allowing the plea, the judge noted that as per the action taken report, it was stated that during the preliminary inquiry and based on the content of the complaint, it was determined that the nature of the offence described in the complaint was non cognizable in nature.

“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,” the Court said.