A Delhi court has directed law enforcement to launch an investigation into tweets posted by journalist Rana Ayyub, alleging that her remarks offended religious sentiments and promoted communal discord.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Raman Singh of the Saket Court instructed the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint from Amita Sachdeva, who accused Ayyub of mocking Hindu deities and freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The court stated that offenses under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions addressing hate speech and public mischief, appeared to be prima facie established. The complaint alleged that Ayyub’s posts were part of a deliberate effort to demean Hindu beliefs and provoke communal tensions.
Initially, Sachdeva’s complaint to the Cyber Cell was dismissed, as one of the cited legal provisions had been invalidated by a prior Supreme Court ruling. However, the court overruled this stance, emphasizing the seriousness of the accusations and the need for a thorough police investigation.
The case will be reviewed today to confirm compliance with the court’s directives.
