Court orders FIR against journalist Rana Ayyub

Case of Insulting Hindu Deities and Swatantryaveer Savarkar

Journalist Rana Ayyub

New Delhi – The Saket Court in Delhi has directed the registration of an FIR and investigation against journalist Rana Ayyub. The order was issued over her objectionable posts on ‘X’ that insulted Hindu Deities and Swatantryaveer Savarkar. This directive came in response to a complaint filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva. Advocate Sachdeva had to approach the Court as the Police failed to act on her complaint.

1. The Court observed that an FIR and investigation are necessary under Sections 153A (promoting enmity), 295A (hurting religious sentiments), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

2. Advocate Amita Sachdeva had lodged a complaint with Delhi Police’s Cyber Cell under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. She alleged that Ayyub’s posts insulted Hindu Deities and propagated anti-India sentiments. The complaint stated that Ayyub’s posts systematically mocked Hindu beliefs, demeaned them, insulted India, and attempted to spread communal disharmony.

Editorial Perspectives

  • Note that advocate Amita Sachdeva had to approach the Court due to the inaction of the Delhi Government, which is under the jurisdiction of the Union Government.
  • When Muslim journalist Rana Ayyub insults Hindu Deities, the Police remain inactive. But if Hindus had allegedly insulted Muslim religious sentiments, would the Police have remained this inactive ?
  • Mere registration of an FIR is not enough. Efforts should be made to arrest such individuals immediately and ensure they receive life imprisonment.