Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection to Journalist Mamta Tripathi in UP Police FIR Over Controversial Video Report

(Judicial Quest News Network)

The Supreme Court today granted interim protection to journalist Mamta Tripathi against any coercive action following an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The FIR stems from a video report aired on September 23, 2023, by Dainik Bhaskar. A bench of Justices Rishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti passed the order, stating that no steps should be taken against Tripathi until the case is further considered. The matter has been deferred, and no arrest or coercive action should be initiated based on FIR No. 281/2023.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave, representing Tripathi, argued that the case was a clear instance of harassment against journalists in Uttar Pradesh. He pointed out that every time Tripathi publishes a report, an FIR is filed against her. Dave emphasized that the report in question concerned a sports organization and involved an entity called Silver Touch. The charge of cheating under Section 420 of the IPC was only invoked to make it a cognizable case.

Dave also referenced a statement from Dainik Bhaskar, asserting that Tripathi’s report was factually correct. However, the link to the video was removed from the publication’s website due to technical presentation issues.

The UP Government, represented by Senior Advocate Garima Prasad, argued that the state had not been represented in the earlier proceedings where Tripathi was granted interim protection. Prasad requested one week’s time to provide further details to the court.

Justice Roy inquired about the status of the Allahabad High Court’s order, which had denied Tripathi relief but allowed her to seek bail before the trial court. The bench granted interim protection while noting the charges against Tripathi under Sections 120B, 420, and 501 of the IPC, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. The court also stated that Tripathi’s counsel should proceed with the matter before the trial court.

This follows similar interim protection granted to other journalists, including Abhishek Upadhyay, who faced FIRs over reports on caste discrimination within Uttar Pradesh’s administration. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that criminal cases cannot be filed against journalists merely for critical reports on government actions.