Supreme Court Shields Journalists from Arrest in Uttar Pradesh

The Supreme Court of India has instructed Uttar Pradesh police not to arrest journalists Abhishek Updhyay and Mamta Tripathi for their writings and posts. The Court extended its earlier protection order by four weeks, advising the journalists to seek legal remedies for quashing FIRs lodged against them.

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Uttar Pradesh Police, instructing them not to arrest two journalists—Abhishek Updhyay and Mamta Tripathi—for four more weeks. This decision pertains to four FIRs filed against them regarding an article and posts on social media platform, X.

A bench consisting of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal confirmed their prior order, protecting the journalists from any coercive actions by state authorities. The legal troubles began after Updhyay published an article concerning 'caste dynamics' within the state's administration, while Tripathi faced FIRs related to her social media activities.

The Court emphasized that journalists have the constitutional right to express their views, and their work shouldn't be criminalized simply for being critical of the government. The journalists have been advised to pursue legal remedies for quashing the FIRs, with the bench highlighting that freedom of speech is safeguarded under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.

(With inputs from agencies.)