📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Pinakpani
National
Supreme Court quashes UP police order for journalist's social media data in Ayodhya theft
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 06:31 AM
👁 9
The Supreme Court has set aside a Uttar Pradesh police notice that sought the social‑media records of a journalist who reported a theft at the Ayodhya temple.
The apex court dismissed a notice issued by Uttar Pradesh police that demanded the social‑media information of a reporter who covered a theft at the Ayodhya temple. The petition, filed by the journalist’s legal team, argued that the demand violated press freedom and privacy rights.
In its order, the Supreme Court observed that law‑enforcement agencies must obtain a court warrant before accessing a journalist’s digital footprint, emphasizing the need to protect the independence of the media. The bench also noted that the alleged theft case is under investigation, but the journalist’s data is not essential to the probe.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s stance on safeguarding journalistic sources and sets a precedent for future requests for digital data from reporters. It comes as part of a broader scrutiny of police powers in the state following several high‑profile investigations.
Legal experts say the ruling reinforces constitutional safeguards while balancing investigative requirements. The Uttar Pradesh police department has been instructed to withdraw the notice and pursue any further action through appropriate legal channels.
In its order, the Supreme Court observed that law‑enforcement agencies must obtain a court warrant before accessing a journalist’s digital footprint, emphasizing the need to protect the independence of the media. The bench also noted that the alleged theft case is under investigation, but the journalist’s data is not essential to the probe.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s stance on safeguarding journalistic sources and sets a precedent for future requests for digital data from reporters. It comes as part of a broader scrutiny of police powers in the state following several high‑profile investigations.
Legal experts say the ruling reinforces constitutional safeguards while balancing investigative requirements. The Uttar Pradesh police department has been instructed to withdraw the notice and pursue any further action through appropriate legal channels.