Journalist Abhishek Upadhyay claims Ghaziabad Police sought his digital activity data related to reporting on alleged corruption in Uttar Pradesh, specifically concerning the Ram temple donations. The Supreme Court is examining these concerns.
In a petition challenging the police's move, journalist Abhishek Upadhyay informed the Supreme Court that he was made aware by X that the Ghaziabad Police were seeking his 'digital footprint' from June 1. This revelation was reported by Bar and Bench. The request comes amidst Upadhyay's reporting on alleged corruption in Uttar Pradesh, focusing particularly on the Ram temple donations.
Upadhyay's lawyer argued before the court that the road-rage case registered against him, which he claims was filed to harass him for his reports, was registered much later than the period for which the police had sought Upadhyay’s data. According to a report by The Hindu, Awasthi contended that the digital footprint sought appeared to relate to the period when Upadhyay was collecting material for his reports about the alleged theft of donations from the Ram temple. Disclosing such information could expose Upadhyay’s journalistic sources to the state machinery, potentially subjecting them to harassment.
The court is examining these concerns. It's worth noting that on August 25, the Supreme Court granted Upadhyay protection from arrest in the road-rage case. During the hearing, Upadhyay had claimed that the road-rage allegations were baseless and sought preservation of the closed-circuit television footage from the site.
The first information report against Upadhyay, based on a complaint by a two-wheeler rider, alleged that the journalist hit his vehicle from behind and then threatened and abused him. The FIR invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. The case will be heard further on September 7.
Source:
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