No action on scribe held for social media post, rules HC

Representative photo DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand high court has ruled that police can’t take coercive action against a journalist detained over a Facebook post that criticised lack of arrests in a fatal accident case. HC said no prima facie offence was made out, and listed the matter for June 11. Sudhanshu Thapliyal was picked up by police on Jan 29 and detained overnight for his post about a woman (20) who died after being struck by a “speeding” vehicle.

“Victim’s parents are demanding justice for her daughter as no one arrested so far. #Money, #Compromise,” his post read. Police said it was defamatory and could incite public hostility.



In his petition, Thapliyal told the court his intent was not to defame the police but to highlight injustice. He argued that as a journalist, it was his duty to report on such issues. Press Club of India (PCI) and Delhi Union of Journalists condemned his detention.

Uttarakhand Journalists Association strongly backed Thapliyal. Journalists across the state submitted a memorandum to DGP Deepam Seth, demanding an impartial investigation and action against officers responsible for what they called an unauthorised midnight arrest. Seth assured them that a high-level investigation would be conducted within a week.

.